THIS Sunday (April 3) the popular 38th Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon is back on the streets after an absence of two years.

The event is one of few in the South West to offer both 26- and 13-mile distances and has a high reputation on the athletics circuit. It holds a Gold Grade from the British Association of Road Races.

“We are really pleased to be holding the races again,” said Marilyn House, chairman of organisers Taunton Carnival Committee.

“We had to cancel 2020 just three weeks before the day and of course nothing happened last year.

"It’s really good to be working with the college again and to have Ashfords Solicitors as headline sponsors for the ninth time. Without their support along with Nuffield Health, SWT Council, Tesco and Taunton Jaguar Land Rover we wouldn’t be able to put the event on.”

Race director John Lewis said “The Bridgwater and Taunton College campus has been ‘home’ to the races since 1983. The facilities are fantastic and some other race organisers are quite envious.

"We’ve got 170 signed up for the marathon and 600 for the half. There’s the usual mix of club runners and individuals from all over the South West. Local clubs and groups Taunton AC, Running Forever RC, Taunton RC and Just Run Taunton are all well represented.

CHARITIES.

Taunton Carnival Committee organises the Marathon and Half Marathon to raise funds for local charities and to help put on the illuminated procession in October

"We’re working closely with Ashfords on the charity side and welcome their corporate cause Winston’s Wish this year.” said Marilyn House. “You can visit their stand on the day to learn more about them.”

THE COURSE.

The races start from the college in Wellington Road at 10.30am. The route takes runners past Tesco and over the river to Bridge Street, out along Staplegrove Road to Norton Fitwarren and the B3227 to Hillcommon. Then it’s across country through Oake and Bradford-on-Tone, turning off before the A38 to run through Hele and Upcott and up the sharp Shutewater Hill into Bishop's Hull. The final stage is down over Netherclay and into Heron Drive, then it’s a sprint through the college grounds to the finish line for the 600 half marathon runners. That’s just halfway for the 170 marathon runners who set out on their second lap. There are many vantage points around the circuit where spectators can cheer them on their way.

There are four water stations on each lap, crewed by local Scouts. After they cross the line runners will collect their medals and a well-deserved banana to boost their recovery. Even though many are regulars at the event and know the course well there will plenty of marshals to make sure no-one goes the wrong way and help them all safely through the traffic. St John Ambulance provide the essential medical backup in case anyone is injured or ill.

ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.

Although the organisers plan to keep disruption to a minimum there will be some traffic congestion and delays during the day. Keeping competitors and motorists safe is most important and with around 800 entries there will be some hold ups, especially as the pack heads through the town on the first lap. Traffic will be stopped in Wellington Road in both directions for about 15 minutes from 10.25am to allow the runners to leave the off-road start line at Bridgwater and Taunton College at 10.30am. As the pack passes along Tangier Way and Bridge Street vehicles will be held at the various junctions to let them all through. Once out towards Staplegrove runners will begin to spread out and traffic will be able to pass with care.

Silk Mills Road will be closed to traffic from 10.30am to 3pm in both directions between Heron Drive and Bindon Road. This will allow the runners to come safely out of Netherclay Lane and get across Silk Mills Road. The road is open at the Bishop's Hull end for two-way traffic to Heron Drive, with access to St Margaret’s Hospice and Abbeyfield. Diverted traffic will travel through the town centre or Tangier Way. Access to Avery Nursery is from the Heron Drive end and to Aspire Fitness and Superstar Studios from the Bindon Road end.

The bridge at Bradford-on-Tone is a pinchpoint, with traffic being seriously affected as runners tackle the single lane structure. This year the bridge will be closed between 11am and 1pm to all traffic. The diversion is via Nynehead.

All other roads are open during the event. Motorists are asked to be co-operative and patient as any delays will be of a relatively short duration.

TIMING CHIPS.

Runners have timing chips attached to their running numbers. These record times electronically and help produce results very quickly. The simple slogan is ‘No Chip No Time’ so runners will need to pin on their numbers securely.

The chips give runners individual times for distance but under England Athletics rules the competitive element is decided on ‘gun time’. The first across the line will take the major prizes, with more than 20 other awards, including local and age categories, being contested in each event.

Three of the course best times were set in the first few years of the event. Westbury Harriers’ Maurice Cowman stormed around the marathon distance in 2 hours 16 minutes and 45 seconds in 1983. No-one has been within 6 minutes of that since. For the half, Danny Kelly's 65 minutes 44 seconds came in 1984, and Cathy Newman’s 1.16.14 in 1989.