Organisers of a charity half marathon held as part of Falmouth’s Spring Festival which raised over £11,000 and attracted more than 400 runners last year, are hoping for even bigger success next month.

Fun-runners and serious runners are now invited to sign up for this year’s Run Falmouth which is now in its fourth year and will be the third event in the Cornwall Glass and Glazing Grand Prix series.

Run Falmouth, on Sunday, March 15, follows on from the success of Cornwall Hospice Care’s Santa Fun Run, which took place in the town over the festive period and attracted more than 400 Santas and reindeers.

The organiser of both events, Lindsay Opie, major event fundraiser for the charity, said: “Falmouth is a great venue and the town attracts a wide range of people who enjoy taking part in a physical challenge to help raise funds for us.

“For Run Falmouth we’ve been working closely with the Falmouth Road Runners to create a running event that we hope will continue to be attractive to the more serious runners as well as recreational entrants. The 13.1 mile course is challenging and quite hilly, but the scenery along the route is stunning and hopefully, inspirational to the runners as they put their best feet forward.”

The half marathon starts and finishes on The Moor with the route taking runners past Pendennis Castle and Gyllyngvase Beach, through to Swanpool and Maenporth beaches before heading inland to Mawnan Smith and Budock Water. They then turn back through Penryn and along the waterfront and back into Falmouth town. Once the runners have crossed the finish line they will be rewarded with a medal, a glass of bubbly, a pasty and a banana. 

“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who is helping us stage this event yet again, particularly the volunteers who give their time to man the route, the water stations and the registration post,” said Lindsay. “Run Falmouth has become one of the key races on the running calendar in Cornwall and we look forward to welcoming the entrants for our 2015 event.” 

The half marathon race starts at 9.30am, is licensed with UK athletics and is open to anyone over 18. Entry costs £15 in advance for affiliated club runners and £17 to non-affiliated runners. People can register on the day for an additional charge with registration at Wetherspoons’ Packet Station from 7.30am. 

You can enter Run Falmouth online at www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk or call the Cornwall Hospice Care fundraising office on 01726 66868 to request an application form.