THOUSANDS of runners are expected to turn out to support worthy causes during Colchester’s tenth half marathon.

Organisers are anticipating more than 3,000 participants will take part in this year’s Colchester Half Marathon after the 2021 and 2020 events were cancelled due to pressures related to Covid-19.

The 13.1 mile race was first staged 11 years ago and is organised by a group of volunteers from Colchester Colne Round Table and Running Colchester.

A spokesman said: “Over the past couple of years Covid affected the ability to host the event, but we are preparing for a big year.

“Previous years have had around 3,000 runners, we are expecting similar numbers this year, which is really good.

“The two charity partners are the Robin Cancer Trust and Headway Essex, the event raises thousands for both these charities and a wide range of causes our runners support.

“It’s a really fun fixture in the Colchester calendar and we are expecting another bumper year.”

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Starting from United Way, near the Jobserve Community Stadium, at 9am, roads will be closed on a rolling basis.

The route is: Boxted Road, Nayland Road, Mile End Road, North Station roundabout, North Station Road, North Hill, High Street, East Hill, East Street, Ipswich Road, Severalls Lane, Wyncolls Road, Newcomen Way, The Crescent, Severalls Lane, Langham Road, Langham Lane and into Langham.

The race will end by 12.20pm back at the stadium.

To date, the race has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for various charities.

These have included MS-UK, Headway Essex, The Robin Cancer Trust and the Tom Bowdidge Foundation.

In 2019 the marathon organisers presented MS-UK and Headway Essex with a cheque for £65,000.

Its organisers say the race aims to bring “an amazing mass-participation” event to the streets of Colchester, “engaging runners, businesses and the community”.

They add: “[It aims] to provide a fun race for runners and spectators whilst also having a great town and country course that’s got real personal best potential.”