IT’S a case of get, set and almost ready to go as the Gazette team start training for the 2009 Halstead fun run.

Veteran fun runners Anna Faro, Mariam Ghaemi and Alison Griffiths will take to the five-mile route for their third year running, on Sunday, September 27.

There have been nearly 30 entries so far for the three routes, which are for over 16s, years seven to 11 and up to year six.

More than 130 runners took part last year.

Halstead Gazette Chief Reporter Mrs Faro, 31, will this year raise money for the Brittle Bone Society, as her nephew Ben Coffey, five, has the bone disease Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

She said: “The fun run is always a huge challenge as I’m not a natural runner, but it’s a friendly event and I feel very proud of myself afterwards.

“My nephew Ben is a great inspiration to me, and I know my sister, Catherine, has benefitted from the work of the Brittle Bone Society as a parent.

“Ben might never be able to run five miles, but if I can, I should.”

Entry for adults costs £6 in advance or £8 on the day and children pay £2. The run will start and finish at Halstead Leisure Centre.

See www.halsteadtown council.co.uk and click on "news and events" for more information.