By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 8 March, 2014
The Leicester Marathon is this year aiming to build on the £70,000 of charity money it raised for worthy causes last year.
A total of 2,500 runners took part in the 2013 event and half-marathon, many collecting for charities including LOROS and Rainbows.
The 26.2-mile circuit saw runners passing some of the county's best-known landmarks, including the Clock Tower and National Space Centre.
This year, on October 26, there will be a change to the course as the Belgrave flyover will no longer feature due to its demolition.
Race organisers will also look at figuring in Century Walk for next year's race – a project to connect London Road with the Victoria Park war memorial.
Race director Christian Weikert-Picker said the course is slowly becoming a marathon favourite, but the most important thing is that runners raise lots of cash.
He said: "It's getting more popular every year, which is great because it means we can raise lots of money for worthy causes. The loss of the flyover means that section is going to be a little more complex, but it shouldn't detract from the race.
"There's a host of great features such as the Golden Mile, space centre, Watermead Country Park and places in the city such as the Clock Tower and Highcross."
Dave Rose, 33, from Syston, is a member of the Wreake Runners, and has taken part in the race on a number of occasions.
"It's quite a nice, easy course really," he said. "There's a bit of a hill towards the end, but apart from that it's quite flat.
"The support is good as you come back into the city and the park – which means there's a good atmosphere."
The day will also include the 13.1-mile half-marathon, relay races and a fun run.
Charities are also organising a number of "cheering points'' along the route so spectators can congregate and give runners a much-needed boost. It is estimated that the event brings in thousands of visitors.
Deputy city mayor Rory Palmer said: "I always try to get down to watch the race and it creates a real buzz around the city as people cheer on the runners – it's a great atmosphere.
"It brings in a great deal of people from not only Leicester but from all over which has big impact on local business."
Another change to this year's event is the way that times are recorded.
In previous years, runners used electronic chips attached to their shoes to track their progress.
However, problems with the system last year have forced the organisers to use throw-away bibs.
Mr Weikert-Picker said: "The system failed last year and we had to count each runner individually through pictures to record their times – each photo was time-stamped. It took us until January before we finished.
"This year, we're trying something new. We can't go through that again – it was awful."
To find out more about the event or to register to run, visit:
