DUST off those trainers and prepare for a summer of running.

The Oxford Half Marathon is back for a third year, supported by the Oxford Mail, and organisers are already anticipating a sell-out for the first time.

More than 2,500 runners have already entered the race on Sunday, October 13 – more than double the amount of entries the half marathon had this time last year.

Dave Box, one of the event organisers, said: “It is fantastic news that entries are coming so fast this year as the event is now becoming established as one of the biggest participant events in the area.

“We feel it is going to be a sell-out due to various factors – the fantastic course, crowd support, great marshalls, a unique stadium finish and the battle of the bands competition giving runners, supporters and residents that carnival atmosphere.”

The run takes participants on a 13.1-mile route through the city from the Kassam Stadium.

It will go through BMW’s Mnini car plant in Cowley, past the Iffley Road running track made famous by Sir Roger Bannister – who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 – and then over the Magdalen Bridge towards the city centre.

The route will then runs through christ church Meadow and along a section of the Thames Path before finishing in the Kassam Stadium.

Mr Box added: “The next 1,000 entrants who enter will benefit from guaranteed parking and a dedicated shuttle bus service to the event, which will ease congestion.”

There will be an athletic village at the Kassam Stadium where there will be lots of entertainment for runners and their families.

All finishers will receive a medal, a goody bag and a Brooks Technical t-shirt.

More details on other new features for the event will be released as race day gets nearer.

East Oxford’s Helen & Douglas House hospice is the run’s official charity partner for 2013.

Are you running the Oxford Half Marathon and have a story to tell? Email reporter Emma Harrison on emma.harrison@oxfordmail.co.uk

Entry to the race costs £31 per participant plus £2 registration fee. Affiliated entry is £29 per participant plus £2 registration fee. To enter the race visit oxfordhalfmarathon.com