A Swindon councillor will take a break from meetings and political wrangling to run the town’s half marathon this Sunday.

Stan Pajak, who is the leader of the two-councillor Lib Dem group in the chamber, is running to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

He said: “I have run every Swindon Half Marathon since it started in 2003 and although not a great runner I think it is a wonderful way to celebrate running for all abilities, Swindon and raise money for charity.

“Needless say I have been campaigning to keep the half marathon going after worries that this could be the last one. The biggest motivator is people cheering the runners on and I would encourage everyone to come along and cheer the runners on in perhaps Swindon’s biggest sport event of the year.”

Councillors Barbara Parry and Matthew Courtliff will also be running, on behalf of mayor Kevin Parry’s two nominated charities.

Sponsor Coun Pajak on justgiving.com/StanPajakSwindonHalfMarathon