SPEEDY progress has been made on the new Swindon Half Marathon with a date set and new route confirmed.

The iconic town race will return on Sunday, September 3 in a ‘bigger, better and more special’ format.

This year will see a shift from the traditional route, taking in many of Swindon’s best-known landmarks including the County Ground, the BMW plant and of course, the Magic Roundabout.

Pillars of the running community formed a focus group last year to discuss ways the iconic race could be relaunched and reinvented, following the popularity of Facebook group, New Swindon half marathon. They aimed to inject new life into the race, with a new end of summer date and a revised route

The group included personal trainer and two time half winner Gary O’Brien, Danny Clayton from the DC Injury Clinic, Liam Dixon from Run Swindon and Lee Bint from Equinox.

They proved the relaunch has legs with it going down well with both runners in the Swindon marathon community and those new to the pastime.

The group are now hoping the event will sprint to success with between 1,500 and 2000 applications this year.

Organiser Graeme Hardie from 113 events said he was delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to the relaunch.

“I just feel overwhelmed that we already have so much support from the community.

“Every time we are sharing stuff online we’re getting a huge response.

“It’s something different, it is going to have a big race feel along a flat course.

“We hope the route will be a taster of Swindon for those who are coming from outside the town.

With the route agreed and sign off from Swindon Borough Council, a buzz is already building around the event.

“We have been canvassing the area and there is a huge hype around the event already so we’re feeling really positive,” said Graeme

“We want there to be a carnival atmosphere, for there to be music, and things for people to look at whilst they are running, to take the pressure off

“Wharf Green is the perfect end for it, the architecture, the noise, it will be fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Swindon Half was due to take place on Sunday, October 16 last year but was cancelled due to a lack of funds

Organisers said there was a shortfall of about £25,000, despite money being raised from a crowd funding campaign, sponsorship and donations.

Entries will open on February 1. To apply visit newswindonhalf.co.uk

Over the coming weeks the team will be looking for sponsorship from local businesses. If you want to get involved email graeme@113events.com