A VIDEO detailing the concept behind a new finisher's medal for Sunday's Colchester Half Marathon has been unveiled today.
Final preparations are now in hand for this year’s race.

Some 3,300 runners are entered and an army of 200-plus volunteers is standing by to make sure everything goes smoothly.

In the exclusive video release, the Colchester Half Marathon team has unveiled what it has described as "the UK’s best running medal".

The design has three key components, a bronze metal to celebrate Colchester's pre-Roman era, a 3D printed Roman Centurion and at the top of the medal, Jumbo.

Matt Eaton, chairman of Colchester Colne Round Table, said “The design brief was simple - Colchester in a medal.”

Luke Wastell, race director, added: “Getting the medal perfect for the runners was absolutely critical.

“I’m proud to say this medal is the best medal in country, bar none.”

The Colchester Half Marathon is in its 5th year and it continues to grow at a fast rate.

All proceeds this year go to Essex Headway.

The race takes place at 9am at Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The runners will head along Boxted Road, Mile End Road and up North Station Road towards the town centre.
The route then takes the field up North Hill, into the High Street, down East Hill and up Ipswich Road. The second half of the route cuts through Severalls Business Park and into Boxted and Langham, wending its way back to the stadium.

See full coverage and pictures in Monday's Gazette.