A SPARKLER of an event – that s what is being promised for the 20th annual Stevenage Half Marathon which is being run on November 5. The 13.1-mile race will incorporate the SEAA Championships and Hertfordshire County Championships. And for those less seri

A SPARKLER of an event - that's what is being promised for the 20th annual Stevenage Half Marathon which is being run on November 5.

The 13.1-mile race will incorporate the SEAA Championships and Hertfordshire County Championships.

And for those less serious about their sport, there'll be a two-mile fun run.

The event, organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans, is said to be run by runners for runners.

One of the sponsors is The Comet and it is the biggest participation sporting event in the town.

Last year, bad weather failed to dampen the spirits of the 735 runners who completed the two-lap course which takes in the traffic-free cycleways and Fairlands Valley Park.

Half the race will be in the valley and the course is considerably flatter and faster than the previous one.

The event starts and finishes at Ridlins Track. The half marathon gets under way at 10.30am with the fun run starting 10 minutes later.

Race director Tony Osborne expects the half marathon to reach its 1,000-place limit this year and is urging people to get their entries in early to avoid disappointment. They must be in by October 30. No entries will be accepted on the day.

Online entries can be made at http://www.runnersworld.co.uk

Further details of the event, to include regular updates of the number of entrants so far, can be found on the club website at http://www.fvspartans.org.uk