The clock is ticking down on runners who want to sign up to the Inverness Half Marathon. The window for entering has now reached the home straight, and those who have not already entered will have to sprint before closing at midnight to
(Tuesday, 23 February).
Thousands of runners are already limbering up to complete the half marathon and accompanying 5K fun run on 13 March. Among them will be a 68-year-old who will be taking on the 13.1 mile course, and one-year-old who will toddle his way around the shorter distance in aid of Diabetes UK.
Those who now sign up to the event, which gets underway in the shadow of Inverness Castle in the city centre and finishes on the track at Queen’s Park Stadium, will stride out alongside runners from all over the UK, as well as a handful from further afield.
Race director Malcolm Sutherland says, “The Inverness Half Marathon and 5K fun run is always an extremely popular event and one of the reasons for that is because it is so inclusive.
“We get some of the top runners in the country coming along because it is the first major half marathon of the year, and many who are looking ahead to spring marathons such as the London Marathon will use it as part of their training for the longer distance. This year the event will host the North District Half Marathon Championships.
“But at the other end of the spectrum we have lots of participants who are just starting out, and taking part in their first ever 5K because they have set themselves a goal to get active or because they are raising money for a good cause.
“Whatever their reason for being on the start line – and regardless of how long they expect to be out on the course – we welcome every single runner and respect their efforts. The mix of abilities actually adds to the atmosphere on the course: there is a real buzz about the event and the support from spectators.”
The official charity of the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K is Highland Hospice. Dozens of runners will be raising money for its Project Build Appeal to extend and refurbish the hospice, and hundreds more will be fund-raising for local and national charities.
Entries for the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K are open until midnight on Tuesday, 23 February atwww.invernesshalfmarathon.co.