MORE than 500 runners have already signed up to run in the 22nd Redcar Half Marathon.

But organisers of the event, on Sunday, March 14, hope another 500 will take part in the 13.1 mile race, which attracts a range of serious club and fun runners. There is also a wheelchair event.

The course, which starts and finishes at the Redcar Leisure Centre, sets off at 10.30am along a fast, flat route on roads, cycleways and pavements.

There is a £1,500 prize fund and a special T-shirt, designed by Middlesbrough-based Steel River Textiles, for all finishers. Runners must all be 18 or over on the day of the race.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's private sector partners, Liberata, are fielding an employee team for the race. There will be prizes for the first Liberata worker over the finishing tape and the employee who raises most cash for the chosen race charity, Zoe's Place at Normanby.

"We're delighted to be sponsoring the half marathon,'' said Derek Don, Liberata's business centre director. "And we're also very impressed with the employees who are going to run for such a good cause."

Entry fees are £11 for club runners, £12 for unattached, with an extra £1 for on-day entries. For details call the events team on (01642) 444373.