TODAY marks the start of the first Bournemouth Marathon Festival which is expected to attract around 9,500 runners to the town over the weekend.

Marathon mascot, Daphne, a six-foot-tall furry dolphin, will help to launch the first of two junior events in the Lower Gardens near Pier Approach at 2pm today.

There will also be a Supersonic 10k at 4pm followed by the Speed of Light 5k at 7pm and a half marathon at 8am on Sunday.

But the main event will start at 10am tomorrow, when 4,024 runners will attempt to complete the 26.2-mile marathon course starting in King’s Park Avenue.

Among them will be former Daily Echo features writer, Georgina Crawshaw, who explains why it’s about more than just the mileage.

She is running in memory of former Bournemouth Echo editor Neal Butterworth who sadly lost his fight with bowel cancer earlier this year.

“I’m running to raise money for two very worthwhile causes – Macmillan Cancer support and Beating Bowel Cancer.

“I suspect running a marathon is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for me.

“Apparently more than one in three people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, which means this little blighter is going to touch all our lives in some shape or form.”

To donate, visit page virginmoney giving.com/georgiecrawshaw Meanwhile Paul Fairman will be running to raise funds to improve animal welfare.

Paul from Bournemouth is running for Compassion in World Farming to highlight the plight of animals farmed for food. Some of the funds will be used for support group Compassionate Dorset.

The 49-year-old vegan said: “I must admit running is not one of my favourite pastimes, but I know a lot of people who are involved in setting up the event so I thought I would show my support and enter the full marathon”.

To help Paul reach his £1,000 target, visit justgiving.com/Paul-Fairman or donate by texting MMMM51 with the amount to 70070.

See Monday’s Echo for details on how to enter the Marathon Festival 2014 for a limited period only and save pounds off your entry.

You can follow the Daily Echo live blogs, capturing all the marathon action over the weekend at bournemouthecho.co.uk There will also be photo galleries from all the races on our website as well as video from each day.

Go to bournemouthecho.co.uk/marathon or follow us on Twitter @bournemouthecho.