Ben Fitzgerald completes the 13 mile route

THE Swindon Half Marathon origins stem from the Swindon People's Marathon, which launched in 1982 as part of the Thamesdown-Hambro Festival.

Then, runners set off from the Wyvern car park and they ran a full marathon route of 26-miles round the town to the finish line at Faringdon Road Park.

This first event was deemed a success, and the race was held again in 1983 and 1984, when the finish line changed to the County Ground.

However, in 1985 race organisers unexpectedly cancelled the event, leaving around 500 competitors in Swindon and the surrounding area disappointed.

Thankfully to preserve the future of the event, the Adver stepped in as event sponsors and support organisers.

The run then went ahead, raising thousands of pounds for Prospect Hospice over the years, until the last People's Marathon was run in 1988.

Runners' enthusiasm for the event went out of the window that year, when they were sent six miles off-course.

After that, the event didn't make its comeback until 2004, when it was made into a half marathon which is still continuing with runners gearing up for this year's race in October.

Since the comeback, Prospect Hospice has been the main beneficiary of the event.

In 2007, Prospect along with The Clivey, a project started by Pinehurst residents and church officials to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area, were the nominated charities.

10:06am Tuesday 15th April 2008

The Bishop Of Swindon Lee Rayfield, crosses the finish line.

First to cross the line. Women's winner Shona Crombie-Hicks and men's winner Gary O'Brien

Runners from last year's marathon

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