AROUND 4,000 runners are limbering up to complete the biggest ever Colchester Half Marathon.

Final preparations are now in hand for the sold-out event on March 13, where an army of 180-plus volunteers will be standing by to make sure everything goes smoothly.

The 13 mile race, which kicks off at 9am, will follow the same route as previous years and a rolling road-block will be put in place until 12.20pm.

Luke Wastell, who is a member of Colchester Colne Round Table, which is again organising the half marathon, said: “It’s a record-breaking year, our biggest yet.

“We have got some exciting stuff happening - we have tried to make it better than previous years.

“There will be pacers running at intervals who run the course at one hour 30minutes and two hours and 30 minutes so runners can follow them.

“Everyone’s really keen for the race. If you ring up the hotels in the area, they are booked up.

“The race is worth almost £1million to the local economy.”

On the day, runners will set out from the Weston Homes Community Stadium and head along Boxted Road, Mile End Road and up North Station Road towards the town centre.

The route then takes the field up North Hill, into the High Street, down East Hill and up Ipswich Road.

The second half of the route cuts through Severalls Business Park and into Boxted and Langham, wending its way back to the stadium.

Thousands of supporters are expected to cheer the runners on along the route.

All finishers will get a specially-minted bronze medal and prizes and trophies will also be awarded to fastest finishers.

This year’s chosen charities are the Robin Cancer Trust and the Tom Bowdidge Foundation and the race is already set to beat its fundraising total of £50,000.

This year’s race has been sponsored by Griffin Chapman, Essex University and Boydens.

Marshals are still needed to help on race day. For more information, visit colchesterhalfmarathon.co.uk