1,000 sign up to run Shrewsbury's first marathon

The event which includes a marathon and a half-marathon will take place on June 23.

It has been organised by Market Drayton-based company In the Running at a cost of up to £40,000 and has taken a year to plan.

In the Running's director David Downes said the race was still taking entries and was hoping to attract runners from across the county.

"In the past two weeks we've had over 1,000 runners sign up, which is amazing," he said.

"We'd like to get runners signed up from across Shropshire, because this is their local marathon."

Mr Downes said the course had been designed in response to comments from runners about what they would like to see.

He said: "We receive a lot of feedback from marathon runners that they can get a bit bored while on a marathon in the lonely lanes away from the action.

"We've taken that on board and delivered, with a lot of hard work and support from Shropshire Council, a great route to keep runners interested all the way round.

"We've managed to organise a completely closed route all the way round, running through the town, taking in picturesque scenes of Shrewsbury town centre and being cheered on by the crowd as you go. The course will complete a lap of The Quarry park as runners come back in past the start and finish line.

"With the course highly desirable and the added support all around the course we're expecting this to be a very runner-friendly and popular event."

The route will start from the Hercules statue and loop through The Quarry before snaking through town, past The Square and Town Walls, before returning to the finish line in The Quarry.

Runners will complete either two or four laps, depending on the distance.

Mr Downes said he expected the marathon to become an annual event.

All runners will receive a medal and T-shirt for taking part. Entry costs £32 for the marathon and £22 for the half-marathon.

Anyone interested in signing up is advised to visit www.intherunning.net