A RECORD number of runners have signed up to race in the prestigious Forest of Dean Trails half marathon and organisers are hoping to raise close to £30,000 for charity.

Race director, Chris Hammersley, says 2,200 runners are now expected to take part in the half-marathon on March 28, far exceeding any previous race.

"We were a bit worried what with the recession that people would not be spending money and we might have less people than last year. It's proved to be the opposite."

In fact, the race is now so large it's outgrown its previous venue – Parkend – and is taking over the Speech House Field where there's room for 1,200 cars.

With electronic timing, marshalling, temporary road closures and the logistics of bringing in rows of portable toilets and delivering thousands of gallons of water to staging posts, there's likely to be a bit of disruption from about 10am on the day warns Chris.

Unlike most half-marathons, the Forest's is almost entirely off-road. It's exactly 13 miles and 193 and a half yards long, the best finishing time so far is 1hr 12 minutes and it costs £10,000 to organise. It is hoped this year's event will bring in about £37,000 with the Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean hoping to hand out up to £28,000 to local and national charities.