The Castle Combe Circuit near Chippen-ham has been chosen as the venue for the country’s first ever women’s half mara-thon next month.

The circuit will host the Better Half event – a 13.1-mile run in aid of two cancer charities – on Sunday, April 18, and organisers Pauline Beare and Peg Wiseman are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved.

Mrs Beare, a mum-of-three whose life has been tainted by cancer, said: “It will be very emotional, just as it is even talking about it. It will be amazing to see all those women out there.”

The two friends from Devon are founders of the Women’s Running Network, an all-women’s running group set up in 1998, and two years ago decided to organise a series of women’s half marathons.

Mrs Beare said: “We’ve put years of work into the Women’s Running Network and we have won quite a few awards, but nothing takes away the excitement of seeing everybody out there achieving and reaching their goals and ambitions.”

The Castle Combe route will be made up of three laps over roads, paths and tracks through woodlands, and will raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign and Ovarian Cancer Action – two causes close to the women’s hearts.

Mrs Beare said: “This past year has been difficult for us. I lost my best friend Christine, who was also my daughter’s godmother, to ovarian cancer a year after diagnosis.

“Peg lost a sister to cancer a few years ago, and is now supporting her mum who has breast cancer. Thankfully she does have a good prognosis.

“So, supporting these charities is extremely important to us. They do amazing work.”

Women can run the three-lap route alone or as part of a relay team of three, and it is hoped the event will become a regular part of the running calendar.

The Castle Combe run is the first of three, with Oulton Park in Cheshire hosting the second in July, and Pippingford Park in East Sussex hosting the final run on September 19.

For more information, or to sign up, visit www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk