RUNNERS will pound the roads this Sunday (April 6) at the annual Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon.

Around 1,300 competitors have signed up for the gruelling race, which will see runners tackle either the 26.2-mile or 13.1-mile route.

Race director John Lewis said: “We couldn’t have put this event on for the last 31 years without a lot of support from businesses and other organisations.

Somerset College has looked after us really well all that time, with facilities other race organisers are very envious of.”

The races start at Somerset College at 10.30am and pass through Norton Fitzwarren, Oake, Bradford-on-Tone, Rumwell and Bish-op’s Hull.

There is also a 1.4km or 2km fun run around the college grounds.

The event is supporting charities chosen by Somerset County Council chairman David Fothergill – the National Autistic Society and the Somerset Trust for Arts & Recreation.

Traffic will be stopped in Wellington Road in both directions for ten minutes from 10.25am to allow runners to set off.

As the pack passes along Corporation Street, North Street and Bridge Street vehicles will be held at various junctions. Once out towards Staplegrove, runners will begin to spread and traffic will be able to pass.

Silk Mills Road will be closed to through traffic from 10.30am to 3pm in both directions between Netherclay Lane and Bindon Road.

The bridge in Bradford-on-Tone will be closed between 11am and 1pm to all traffic.

See somersetcountygazette.co.uk and next week’s paper for pictures and results.