TWO thousand runners will take to the streets of Chippenham this weekend for the town’s half marathon which will also raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Since 2008 the event has raised more than £56,000 for various causes and this year will be raising funds for charities Brighter Futures and The Forever Friends Appeal.

The annual event has grown in popularity over the years and is regarded as one of the best half marathons in the country, having being ranked the eighth best running event by magazine Runners World last year.

Miles Wilson, a member of Chippenham Harriers and one of the organisers for the event, said: “Participation has been gradually increasing as running is becoming very popular and absolutely it started with the London Olympics.

“As soon as London happened we had 100 people turning up for our beginners programme at Chippenham Harriers which we run twice a year ever year.

“It’s an easy half marathon for people doing their first one or people going for a personal best and it’s one of the 50 best UK races that regularly comes in the top ten.”

The race will begin from 9.30pm on Sunday (September 4) outside the Chippenham Sports Club on Bristol Road and from there runners will head into the centre of town before making their way to Stanley Park, down Maud Heath Causeway, round to Langley Burrell and back to the sports club.

There will be water stations approximately every three miles and a baggage area at the start for runners to leave their belongings.

A number of rolling road closures will be in place during the event, with town roads on the route officially re-opening approximately one hour after the start.

At 9.30am Bristol Road, Bristol Road, Park Lane, New Road, The Causeway and London Road to the junction with Pewsham Way will be closed.

Between 10.15am-1pm, Hill Corner Road from the junction with Swindon Road (B4069 - Pew Hill) to the junction with Malmesbury Road (B4158), will be closed to all through traffic but an alternative route is available via New Road, Marshfield Road and Bristol Road.

Between 10.20am-1pm Malmesbury Road (B4158), from the junction with Hardenhuish Lane to the junction with Park Lane and Langley Road, will also be closed but an alternative route is available via New Road, Marshfield Road and Bristol Road.

Traffic will also be stopped at various locations to allow runners to pass safely through.

Entry to the race will remain open until 10am tomorrow (Friday, September 2) with just under 100 spots still available. No entries will be taken on the day.

To enter the Chippenham Half Marathon or for more details including road closures, visit http://www.chippenhamhalfmarathon.co.uk/default.aspx