On your marks! Frome half marathon is ready to run

THE biggest ever Frome Half Marathon will burst out of the starting blocks this Sunday 19th July, with nearly 1,000 runners expected to swarm through the town.

The annual race starts at 10am on Sunday and runners will compete over half marathon, 10k and 5k distances, with all events starting at 10.00am.

A 1k fun run for under-11 year olds will start shortly after the main races.

The event is popular with new runners and athletes alike, with local professional boxer Ryan Wheeler running the 10k this year. Local athlete Jim Plunkett-Cole will run his 930th consecutive 10k, and the race will form part of his 200th triathlon a day challenge.

Local lad Dillon Chapman will start this year’s event. Dillon is well known in Frome for his courage, determination and fundraising for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Road closures will be in place and are listed at www.fromehalfmarathon.co.uk. Motorists are advised to consult the list and plan their journey in advance, avoiding entering and leaving Frome between 9.30am and 12.30pm, if possible. Trains and buses will also be affected.

“It is hoped that residents will again line the streets to cheer on the runners,” said Esther Doel, one of the organisers. “Local musicians will be performing along the route and in the race village, to keep up runners’ spirits.”

Race organisers are asking anyone with a few hours to spare on Sunday morning to consider volunteering as a marshall at the event. No experience is necessary. For more information, contact Fran at marshalls@fromehalfmarathon.co.uk or on 07908 284198.

Race director Georgie Starkie is looking forward to another busy event.

Georgie said, “We have put our entry limit up to 1,000 across the three events this year and expect to come close to that by the time entries close. I think we are at around 900 so far, so already up on previous years.

“We have Dillon Chapman coming to start the race for us this year; we wanted to have an inspirational local resident to set the runners on their way and Dillon really ticks that box. I’m looking forward to meeting him on race day.

“As usual one of our races (the half marathon this time) is included in the Wiltshire Road Race League which means there is some fierce competition between club runners.

“We have always been treated to the hottest day of the year for the race and the course is very hilly which makes it a tough run, but there are obviously a lot of runners that enjoy that sort of thing because they keep coming back each year!

“We get fantastic feedback from the runners on the scenery, the atmosphere along the route and the brilliant marshalls who kindly volunteer their time to manage the route for us.

“This year we have tweaked the route to improve the start/finish and for the first time have bespoke medals which will be given to all finishers. It’s going to be another great day I’m sure.

“The fastest male and female runners to complete Egford Hill in the half marathon will be crowned King and Queen of the Mountain in another new initiative.”

The race will start and finish at Frome Town Football Club; the full route and race details can be found at www.fromehalfmarathon.co.uk.

Frome Half Marathon would like to thank all its sponsors who contribute towards making the event such a success, in particular Sound Foundation Community Care, Old Mill, Gracewell Healthcare, Care UK, CH Contracting and H & B Tyres.