RUNNERS who need an extra training boost before they take on this year’s Oxford Half Marathon have the chance to join three training runs.

Up and Running, in Headington, has organised 5km, 10km and 15km runs on Thursday evenings in the weeks leading up to the 21.1km race on Sunday, October 13, which is being supported by the Oxford Mail.

Warren Stone, manager of the shop in London Road, said: “The idea is to build a distance progressively week by week.

“We are going to do sections of the actual half marathon route itself to give people a feel for the route.

“We did this last year and it was a really big success. The runs give people an idea about the terrain, the elevations, the hills of the route.”

Pace runners are being kitted out by Up and Running and half marathon sponsor Brooks Running. There will be 12 running on race day to help participants achieve their desired time.

Race organiser Dave Box said: “It is great that Up and Running is doing these training run days leading up to the Oxford Half Marathon, and we urge local runners to go along and enjoy them, to get lots of advice and to run within a group.”

The first training run is 5km and is on Thursday, September 19 at 7pm at the shop. There will be a talk from Dr Jess Leitch, of Oxford-based Run 3D laboratory, about injury prevention.

The second run is 10km and the group will meet at the Iffley Road running track at 7pm on September 26. A 15km run is the last of the training evenings, on October 3 at 7pm at the Iffley Road track.

Call Up and Running, 01865 744 266.

There are still limited places left for the Oxford Half Marathon, sponsored by MINI Plant Oxford.

For event information visit oxfordmail.co.uk/halfmarathon The closing date for entries is Friday, September 13 or when 6,000 places have been filled.