FINAL preparations are being made before up to 4,000 runners pound the pavements in Colchester next month.

The sold-out Griffin Chapman Colchester Half Marathon takes place on Sunday March 12.

A rolling road block will move around Colchester throughout the morning.

The seventh annual 13-mile race kicks off at 9am from the Weston Homes Community Stadium and follows the same route as previous years.

Luke Wastell, a member of organisers Colchester Colne Round Table, said: "‘As race director I would personally like to wish all the runners the best of luck.

"We organise the Griffin Chapman Colchester Half Marathon as volunteers and it makes me proud to see all these participants having a great safe race whilst raising money for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

"We are planning a few nice surprises for the day and we hope everyone can support us.’"

This year Essex University will be providing a warm up stage prior to the race.

Runners will set out from the Weston Homes Community Stadium and head along Boxted Road, Mile End Road and up North Station Road towards the town centre.

The route then takes the field up North Hill, into the High Street, down East Hill and up Ipswich Road.

The second half of the route cuts through Severalls Business Park and into Boxted and Langham, before going back to the stadium.

Thousands of supporters are expected to cheer the runners on.

The run's lead sponsor is Griffin Chapman chartered accountants.

An eight-page supplement of all the marathon highlights will feature in the Daily Gazette the next day.

Last year's half marathon received a number of commendations for UK Athletics on its quality.