On Sunday I will join more than two and a half thousand runners on the start line of this year’s Swindon Half Marathon.

But anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of me in my running vest and trainers will be disappointed as I will instead have the honour of getting the newly-relaunched race underway.

I would like to congratulate the race organisers for revitalising a popular fixture in the town’s sporting calendar and for changing the route to attract even more runners.

I’m sure those taking part in the 13.1-mile race will enjoy running past some of the town’s iconic landmarks, while the flatter course will also be slightly kinder to the legs than in previous years.

I would like to wish everyone taking part the best of luck and would encourage people not tempted to pull on their running shoes to get involved on the day by cheering on those that are taking on the challenge.

A great deal of planning has gone into the organisation of the race and, as with any town-centre organised event of this nature, there will be essential road closures.

The council has been liaising closely with the race organisers and advanced warning signs have been placed around the route for the last couple of weeks.

The closures will come into force from 10am on Sunday at the County Ground ahead of the start of the race at 11am.

The race will be split into 16 sections and, in order to minimise disruption to motorists, roads will reopened once the last runner has passed each ending point. Manned crossings will also be available to allow vehicles to pass where possible.

You can download a copy of the route from the half marathon website: www.newswindonhalf.co.uk Running a half marathon is not for everyone, but it is important we all try to do some exercise each week, no matter how little.

Last week the Council’s Public Health team announced it was backing a national campaign to increase the amount of physical activity undertaken by those aged between 40 and 60.

It follows an alarming statistic that just 37 per cent of adults aged between 40 and 60 in the South West walk less than 10 minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace.

To combat this, Public Health England has launched its new One You physical activity campaign to encourage people to do brisk 10-minute walks with the Active 10 app.

If running half marathons is not for you, but you would like to increase your fitness levels, the Active 10 app could be a great way to start. Further details can be found at the website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10