On your marks for 2010 Lisburn Half Marathon

Entries are now being accepted for the annual event, which will take place at 6.45pm on Wednesday June 16.

Last year the target of 6,000 runners was broken and this year Lisburn City Council would like to set a new target and see over 6,500 runners passing through the streets of the City. So why not put all that training to use and tackle the Half Marathon, 10K Road Race or the 3K Fun Run?

Participants can register online at the event specific website, www.lisburnhalfmarathon.com for any of the three races.

Councillor David Archer, Chairman of the Council's Leisure Services Committee, who spoke at the launch, said: "I would like to say thanks to event sponsor Coca-Cola and supporting sponsors U105 and Lagan Valley LeisurePlex. The Half Marathon is one of our event highlights and provides the ideal opportunity for runners of all abilities to get together and hopefully run for charity with the 10K Road Race or 3K Fun Run option.

"Whether you are a professional, competitive or recreational roadrunner or simply enjoy running for fun, the Council would like to see all the participants pass the finishing line in 'personal best time' and hopes that their supporters will get into the spirit, enjoying the activities and atmosphere on the evening."

Also present at the launch, the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart, added: "I would like to encourage those participating to raise funds for my Mayoral charity, TinyLife, if they do not already have a charity in mind. TinyLife offers invaluable support and advice for the parents of premature babies and also funds research into the causes of miscarriages, premature births and stillbirths."

1 from each entry will go to this year's Mayoral Charity, TinyLife. The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart, will be running the three-kilometre Fun Run to raise money for TinyLife.

For more information on the Coca-Cola Lisburn Half Marathon, 10K Road Race and 3K Fun Run log onto www.lisburnhalfmarathon.com.