Sprint for big race entrants

Registration may have only been open for a few weeks, but more than 1,000 runners have signed up to take part in next year's Stafford Half Marathon.

Organisers say they are delighted with the response and are urging other people keen to take part to register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment because the maximum is 2,000.

The closing date for entries is Friday, February 5 – or earlier if the limit has been reached – and the 13-mile race starts at 10.30am on Sunday, March 21.

Stafford Borough Council's cabinet member for leisure, Councillor Mike Smith, said: "This event just keeps getting more popular and is now seen as one of the top races in the county.

"I would urge all those who want to take part to get their entries in quickly as the places have been filling up at a remarkable rate since registration opened in November."

The race starts in Stafford Street, and runners head out of the town into the countryside on traffic-controlled roads, tackling two steady climbs before returning to Market Square via Victoria Park.

For more details or to register, visit www.stafford bc.gov.uk//halfmarathon, email sports-events@staff ordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619 300. For the first time, runners can register at the Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street – in person or by calling 01785 254 653