RUNNING enthusiasts are racing to take part in next year's Hull marathon.
Within a day of the Mail revealing the route of the Hull Marathon 2015, more than 100 people have already signed up to compete on September 13 next year.
Members of local running clubs and key partners gathered at the official launch event this afternoon to celebrate this key milestone.
Organisers estimate that over 75 per cent of people who have signed up so far are from the area's many running clubs but they hope to attract more first-time runners over the next few months.
Organiser Phil Haskins said he has been blown away by the amount of people who have already registered their interest in taking part.
He said: "It's been a very positive response at this stage and I feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of people who have already signed up.
"But to make this work we need to show that we have enough runners and enough supporters and it looks like we're going to achieve that."
The 2012 Hull marathon had 1,200 participants but Mr Haskins says the 2015 event will have at least 2,000 runners taking part.
Karen Towner of White City running club said she expects next year's Hull Marathon to be an inspirational event for runners and non-runners alike.
She said: "This is great news for the city's runners, we are really looking forward to it.
"I think it will attract a lot of experienced runners from outside the area and it could also give a spur to local people who have never done it before."
Ms Towner thinks that now is the right time to launch the marathon as it will give novice runners a chance to train up.
She said: "A year is a comfortable amount of time for a completely new runner to train for a marathon, that's how long it took me to train when I first started running.
Kev Robinson, a fellow White City runner, agreed that he expected to see more people take up running in the lead-up to the marathon.
He said: "I think people will definitely want to take part because it's a really good experience and something that almost everyone is capable of with the right training.
"The great thing about being part of a running club means you get the support you need from people who have run marathons before."
Sam Barlow, founder of Cottingham-based Fitmums says it has already encouraged some of her group to work towards the 26.2 mile goal.
She said: "It's really incentivised our runners to think seriously about completely a marathon.
"Even our walkers are starting to think about if they will be able to complete the course within the six-mile limit.
"There is also the chance for teams of four to take part in a relay so there really does seem to be something for everybody."
Mr Haskins also he hopes to give something back to the people of Hull who will not be taking part in the marathon themselves.
He said: "We want to create something that is good for runners and create a real spectacle for those watching at the sidelines.
"If we are going to be messing around with people's normal Sundays we want it to be something that people can enjoy."
• Link to high-res Hull Marathon 2015 route
• Link to the high-res Hull Marathon 2015 four stage relay route
• Register to take part at www.thehullmarathon.co.uk
Follow The Hull Marathon on Twitter @thehullmarathon
Follow The Hull Marathon on Facebook at thehullmarathon
