IT IS the landmark event that Hampshire’s sporting community has wanted for a generation.

Thousands of runners are waiting with bated breath for the dramatic start to the ABP Southampton Half Marathon today.

The 6,000 participants will have their hearts in their mouths when the air horn sounds at the county’s newest mass running event.

The historic race will once again see Southampton become a premier running destination – and comes two decades after the Great South Run launched in the city in 1990.

That event, which later moved to Portsmouth, followed half marathon events in Southampton in the 1980s. The organisers of the new race, Marafun UK, have spent months planning the event, taking place on the same day as the London Marathon.

The Southampton race has captured the imagination of both seasoned athletes and fun runners, with all places taken within nine months of launching last May.

Around 47 per cent of those running are first-timers, while runners have already pledged more than £100,000 towards good causes by running on behalf of local and national charities.

Crowds of nearly 20,000 people are expected to descend on the city to cheer them on, while 500 volunteers from community groups and charities are dedicating their time to support the cause. The ABP Milemaker groups will man water stations, hand out jelly babies and provide entertainment to keep runners’ spirits up during their epic journey.

The 13.1-mile race and its accompanying 10km course start at Hoglands Park, which is the home of a Race Village with charity marquees and a warm-up area.

The routes will pass landmarks including the Bargate, St Mary’s Stadium, Riverside Park, The Common and both universities.

The highlight is running over the Itchen Bridge, where participants can take in a stunning city panorama and see cruise ships in port. The run will end at Guildhall Square.

 

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Daily Echo: Some of the Daily Echo runners.

#Associated British Ports (ABP) are the main sponsors, with the Daily Echo as media partners - and with some of its staff taking part.

Both firms are among companies battling it out in the Corporate Challenge to be the region’s fastest business. Race director Chris Rees said: “We are looking forward to an event which will put the city on the sporting map. It has created so much positivity and such a buzz for people living in the city by showing what a great place it is to be.

“The route will take people to parts of the city they have never seen before. So many people are volunteering their time as volunteers and there will be lots of excitement on the day.”

 

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Almost 20,000 people are expected to pack Southampton to cheer on runners in the city’s newest mass run.

There will be a carnival atmosphere as spectators and residents line the streets supporting the competitors tackling the 13.1-mile course.

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Hundreds of volunteers from community groups and charities are laying on music and entertainment.

Supporters can be part of the action and watch the drama unfold from a variety of vantage points.
Hoglands Park serves as the event’s main hub where runners will gather in the race village before the air horn will be sounded to begin the 10km race at 8.30am and main race at 10am.

Both Hoglands and Houndwell Park provide clear views of runners setting off.

Supporters then have time to walk towards St Mary’s stadium to meet competitors pass the four mile point.

From there spectators can head to the Guildhall Square to watch the runners surge over the finishing line.

Crowds will also be lining the full route including the Bitterne, Basset and Swaythling neighbourhoods, the Itchen Bridge and The Common.

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A giant TV screen in Hoglands Park will beam live coverage throughout the race, including the finish.

The fastest runners are expected to finish by 11am, with the slowest completing it at around 1.30pm.

There will be a rolling system of road closures in the city centre and some delays from 9.30am-2pm.

Alterations to some bus routes will also be in place.

More details on road closures at abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk/
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