DETERMINED racers will take on Dorchester's first ever marathon to raise money for local charities.

The Dorchester Marathon and half marathon is taking place this Sunday, May 28. The town centre will be closed to motorists as runners don their trainers to take on the 26-mile challenge.

Money will be raised for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, along with other local charities. It is being organised by the Casterbridge Rotary Club and White Star Running.

The race will take place along fully closed roads running through the historic county town, villages, and the scenic Dorset countryside, heading out towards Tolpuddle.

It is being officially measured and certified by UK Athletics.

There will be medals and t-shirts for all finishers, together with a post race party, free live entertainment, a bar with local ales and cider, and weekend camping at the race village.

The Race Village is located at Cokers Frome Farm, just on the edge of town, and is is described as 'the ideal location from which to explore Dorchester, the surrounding area, and the Dorset coast over the weekend'.

The marathon will start at the Cokers Frome Show Ground at 8.30am, with the half marathon setting off at 9.30 am.

John Adams, chairman of the Marathon organising committee, said: “We’ve worked incredibly hard of the last few years to bring this fantastic event to Dorchester, but we’re on the home straight now and set to provide a special event for our county town while raising money for charities and good causes in the Dorchester area.

“With 1,800 runners taking part in total over the marathon and half marathon, it really will be a sight to see and I really hope that local people come out to watch along the course and cheer the runners on.”

Andy Palmer, race director, said: “We’re really excited to be running a road race in Dorset. It has all the best bits of our trail events, such as first class organisation and great people helping at aid stations, but has the added thrill of a closed road race.

“Everyone who has entered has worked really hard to get to this stage as marathon running takes commitment over many months of training. The runners deserve to have a good turn out of people on the day to cheer them on.”

Residents are being encouraged to watch out for the road closures while the event is taking place and head down to the event and cheer on the runners.

Many roads will be closed from 7am including the A352 between Max Gate and West Stafford Bypass, B3150 High West St and B3144 Prince of Wales Road in Dorchester.