WITH only a few days to go until 1,000 runners hit the streets of Frome and the surrounding villages for the Frome Half Marathon, organisers are working hard on the final touches to make this fantastic community event a huge success.
Race day is Sunday 17th July and includes the half marathon itself along with supporting 10k and 5k runs and a junior 1k event. All races start at the Frome Town Football Ground at 10am and make their way through the streets of the town and surrounding countryside returning through the town centre to the Frome Town Football Ground for the finish line. The race will be started by inspirational local boxer Ryan Wheeler.
Two local bands will be entertaining the runners and crowds with The Cley Hill Stompers at the Cornerhouse at the top of Bath Street – just as the runners head into the lovely downhill into town; and Frome Street Bandits will be at the Vine Tree, just at the bottom of Badger’s Hill just before the finish line.
With 1,000 runners, the event will raise many thousands of pounds for charity. Proceeds from the event itself will go to Frome Activities and Sports Trust (FAST) which aims to provide a community resource for any charity or sports group within the town while individual runners are raising funds for their own good causes.
Mayor cllr Toby Eliot said, “We look forward to as many supporters as possible to line the route again this year and cheer the runners on as they help to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.”
He is running the 10k race, along with deputy mayor, cllr Al O’Kane, to raise funds for Frome Gateway Club. The charity provides social activities and friendship to adults, young and old, with learning disabilities.
Club leader Ann Taylor said, “We are honoured to have support from our mayor Toby and deputy mayor Al; this fundraising will help with vital funding for club evenings and activities. Some of our club members need a greater level of support or encouragement and any money raised will help us run some exciting activities or help towards our regular events, which are enjoyed so much by everyone at the club.”
Cllr Eliot added, “Frome Gateway Club is a fantastic Frome charity, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in June. We’d like to raise as much as we can for this charity and to add some emphasis, I will be running in my mayoral chain! Please sponsor our run, by donating whatever you can for this cause. I’ve set up a JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/profile/mayoroffrome where you can make a donation.”
Organisers are urging residents and visitors to ensure they know which roads are closed and when. Roads will be opened in stages after the race has passed through.
Roads around Stonebridge, Clink Road, Portway and Wallbridge will be closed from 9.45-11am, while roads centrally and to the west of Frome will have variable closures from 10.15am-12.45pm. If you think your road may be affected, please check the yellow route closure signs on lampposts along the route around the town and out through Nunney and Whatley; these signs detail which roads will be closed and when. More details on the road closures at www.fromehalfmarathon.co.uk/road-closure
