THERE’S just two days to go until the second Bournemouth Marathon Festival gets underway this weekend.

Around 10,500 people will be pounding along the town’s seafront and streets during the two-day event which kicks off at 2pm on Saturday with the first of two junior runs.

There are six different races in total – the marathon, half marathon, 10k Supersonic race, 5k Speed of Light, 3k junior race and 1.5k junior race.

Around 3,500 have signed up for the full marathon on Sunday and 4,000 for the half marathon. Many more are expected to line the route cheering on the runners.

Some of the finest athletes from across the world are taking part including last year’s marathon winner Ebisa Merga from Ethiopia who will return to defend his title hoping to improve on 2013’s winning time of 2:16.41.

Merga said: “I think I can run faster than last year. But it will depend on the strength of my opposition who can push me harder. “I was attracted to run the race again this year because the race is so well organised, the crowd are so welcoming and last year, the weather was also very good.”

Last year’s inaugural festival was held in unseasonably warm conditions. This weekend is expected to be cooler with a cloudy but dry weather forecast for Sunday morning.

Race director Neil Kilgour told the Echo: “The spectacular, natural running environment and fresh air of Bournemouth and Poole, has proved the perfect choice for runners, making it an exciting addition to the UK running calendar.”

The festival is also a chance to make a difference to other people’s lives by raising money for charity.

More than 750 runners will be fundraising for more than 200 different charities. It is hoped that nearly £1m will be raised during the weekend.

For more details, don’t miss our essential marathon guide, visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/ marathon. There will also be live online coverage throughout the weekend.

Fast facts about the race

  • Participants will run a combined 146,142 miles over the weekend which is the equivalent of travelling around the equator five and a half times.
  • Over 1,064 kg worth of medals will be awarded – the same as four baby African elephants.
  • Around 56,000 bottles of water will be handed out to runners over the weekend.
  • Age is no barrier – the oldest runner is 75 years old taking part in the full marathon while the youngest is six taking part in the junior 1.5k race

    Stroke victim stepping out

    TWO years ago Bill Lindsay was bed-bound after suffering a stroke at the age of 49.

He couldn’t talk or walk and for several months the only words he could say were either yes or no.

For Bill had developed aphasia, a communication disability that can occur following a stroke or head injury.

But on Sunday he will be taking part in the half marathon along with a team of 30 therapists and dieticians who work on the stroke unit at Poole Hospital where he works as a volunteer.

Bill, from Westbourne, is also one of the team leaders for a charity called Connect and helped launch a Christchurch drop-in for people with aphasia.

Bill said: “When I had my stroke I was very scared and didn’t understand what was going on. Luckily I had brilliant friends that talked to me and helped me to talk and read. Unfortunately a lot of people living with aphasia are not so lucky; they do not have a close group of friends and are living in isolation. Connect have set up two drop-in groups in Dorset to help. They allow people to meet others with aphasia in a fun and comfortable environment.”

The team held a cake sale at Poole Hospital earlier this week to raise funds and awareness. To support Bill visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/Wills_walkers

  • AMONG the thousands of people taking part in the full marathon on Sunday will be world record holder Steve Edwards, who is hoping to complete his 651st marathon.

He is the first person to run 400 official marathon races in under three hours and 20 minutes.

The Echo’s Andy Nicholls will also be taking part for the second year running. Bournemouth mayor Chris Mayne is taking part in The Speed of Light 5k on Saturday evening. Cllr Mayne will be running on behalf of his mayoral charities, Bournemouth Leukaemia Fund, Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund, Bournemouth YMCA, Bournemouth Male Voice Choir, Special Olympics Bournemouth and District. To donate, please text BMTH26 plus £1, £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.