THE ROUTE for the inaugural Chelmsford Marathon has been revealed by race organisers.

Today the event which will take place on Sunday October 19 was officially launched during a party hosted in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre.

As part of the launch, the 26.2mile route map drawn up by organisers at Great Baddow-based J’s Hospice was shown off for the first time.

Starting in Central Park runners will then go through some of the city’s other parks including Admirals and Tower Gardens before reaching the halfway point in Hylands.

Once there, participants will turn around and follow the route back to Central Park where the finish line is.

Helping launch the event was multiple marathon runner Lloyd Scott who famously complete the race in London wearing a deep-sea diving suit in 2002.

A maximum of 2,000 participants has been set for the first event with 650 having already signed up since registration opened on February 25.

Entering costs £28 and anyone interested in taking part can either call hospice staff on 01245 475474 or log onto www.chelmsfordmarthon.org.uk.