THE Minehead half-marathon is set to return to the town on Sunday, May 12, after an absence of more than 20 years.

The reinstated race - along with a new 10k run - will start at 11am in Minehead Esplanade and follow a looped circular route which has been marked out so that the runners will be going in opposite directions, increasing the fun for participants and spectators alike.

The event is being organised by a team from Kingspan Water & Energy, based locally in Wiliton. The company is sponsoring both runs, including cash prizes for first, second and third male and female finishers, prizes for under-40s and over-40s age categories, and medals for everyone who completes the course. Kingspan staff will be marshalling the route on the day.

All proceeds will go to Elliot’s Touch, the Watchet-based charity which aims to raise awareness of mitochondria disease and genetic heart disease in babies and infants.

“Minehead lost its half-marathon back in the 1990s, leaving a significant void in the local sporting calendar,” says Chris Spink, a production operative at Kingspan Wiliton, and one of the driving forces behind the revival.

“We hope it will really engage the community and attract runners of all standards. This course is flat, whereas the previous one in the 90s was as hilly as the VW logo, so that should encourage more people to come along.

“I’m also closely involved in Elliot’s Touch as a member of the charity’s committee and I’m keen to ensure we raise a decent amount of money on the day for such a good cause.”

Chris is an established presence in the local running community, both as an event director of the local parkrun in Minehead and as a keen runner with Minehead running club.

Gerry McDermott, Kingspan Water & Energy’s HR Director, and also a keen half-marathon runner, says, “This is a great initiative by Chris and members of our Wiliton team and we’re delighted to support it.

“We’re encouraging all our colleagues, as well as members of the local community - whether they are dedicated runners or Sunday strollers - to get up get active and come join us as we help raise funds for Elliot’s Touch.”

Elliot’s Touch was set up by Donna and Paul Stevens in memory of their infant son Elliot, who passed away from the disease in 2015.

It has so far raised more than £120,000 to fund research and was one of only a select handful of charities to be invited to the Royal Wedding in 2018.

Donna Stevens said: “We are delighted to be the chosen charity for the Minehead half-marathon and 10k events.

"We hope it’ll help make more people aware of mitochondria disease and genetic heart disease in babies and infants, and raise lots of money to fund research.”

More information, as well as pre-event registration for runners is available at kingspanhalfmarathonand10k.eventbrite.co.uk, or go to the “Kingspan Water and Energy” Facebook page, and click on the Events tab.

For more information on Elliot’s Touch go to www.elliotstouch.org.