PLACES are already filling up fast more than a month before the 35th annual Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon.

More than 700 runners have signed up for the race on Sunday, April 8.

A total of 1,200 slots are available in the shorter distance, with 300 in the full marathon and organisers are confident the remaining places will be taken by the March 26 deadline - to enter click here.

Entry forms are also available from Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Blackbrook Pavilion, Tony Pryce Sports or Taunton Visitor Centre.

As well as being seriously competitive races, the event also raises money for good causes.

Marilyn House, chairman of the organisers Taunton Carnival Committee, said: "We know many runners will be sponsored for a variety of charities and will raise a good sum that way.

"On top of that we’ve always had a nominated event charity.

"This year we’re pleased to be working with St Margaret’s Hospice, which will receive a donation from each of the entry fees."

Last year saw a major change to the route to take runners off the A38 between Three Bridges and Bishop's Hull.

Race director John Lewis said: "We did this for safety reasons.

"Sunday traffic had grown tremendously over the 34 years since we first held the event.

"A lot of local runners were already using the scenic route through Hele and Upcott into Bishop's Hull for training, so it didn’t come as a shock to them.

"We had positive feedback from a lot of the runners after last year’s races, so we must have made the right decision."

The races are again sponsored by Ashfords Solicitors and Nuffield Health and hosted by Taunton and Bridgwater College.