An Ipswich-based charity is looking for runners to represent its cause and take on the inaugural Great East Run.
Inspire Suffolk has been awarded five charity spaces for the now sold out half marathon, which is being held in Ipswich on Sunday, September 24.
This follows the race reaching capacity more than five months before the starting gun was due to be fired - with places being snapped up quickly by runners eager to take part.
The charity, which supports local young people into a positive future through its personal development programmes, has been granted five charity spaces for the 13.1 mile event by chairman of Suffolk County Council, councillor Stephen Burroughes.
Inspire Suffolk is asking people who are interested in running for its cause to get in touch as soon as possible and pledge why they would like to run for the charity.
The five runners will be notified next week.
Terry Baxter, CEO of Inspire Suffolk, says: “We are extremely grateful to have been gifted places for this iconic Ipswich event and we would like to thank Stephen Burroughes for his generosity.
“We are encouraging people to grab this opportunity and to get behind our cause, which will benefit so many local young people in desperate need of Inspire Suffolk’s help.”
A total of 3,000 runners will descend on the town to take part in the Great East Run, which replaces the annual Ipswich Half Marathon but maintains the support and organisation from Ipswich JAFFA Running Club, Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.
It will start and finish on Russell Road, taking in the Willis building, designed by Lord Foster, before heading towards the town’s waterfront.
The route then goes past Felaw Maltings on the way out and back along Wherstead Road, where participants will pass twice under the Orwell Bridge.
The initial entry limit was 2,500 runners, but these sold out earlier this year.
Another 500 places were made available in April and were snapped up within hours - a sign of how popular the event is set to be.
If you are interested in taking part for Inspire Suffolk, visit www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk or email info@inspiresuffolk.org.uk to register your interest.
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