Keen athletes and fun runners are encouraged to put their best foot forward and enter two forthcoming charity road races in Braintree and Witham.

The 16th annual Witham Lions Half Marathon and Three Mile Fun Run take place on Sunday, May 2 at Spa Road Playing Fields.

The half marathon is now established as one of the major attractions on the road racing calendar in East Anglia with participants coming from across the country.

The Fun Run mainly attracts entries from junior and youth groups in the Witham area and is used as a vehicle for raising funds through sponsorship.

It is estimated more than £50,000 has been raised since its inception in 1984.

Half marathon entry fees are £4 for running club members and £5 non-members, while fun runners must pay £1.50 for adults and £1 for under-16s.

Closing date is April 23 and late entrants must pay an additional 50p.

For more details and entry forms call Tom Barnes on 01376 517716.

Meanwhile, it is hoped that a new three-mile run in Braintree can mirror the success of the event in Witham.

Organised by Braintree and Bocking Rotary Club, the run - starting and finishing at Braintree Leisure Centre - takes place on Sunday, April 25 with an entry fee of £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-16s.

"We are hoping to make this an annual event," said Rotarian Mike Crannis.

"The emphasis is on this being a fun run rather than a race, but we shall be awarding trophies to the first, second and third male and female competitors, the first team, under-16 and the oldest runner, while everybody will get a certificate."

Runners can choose their own charity or hand over their sponsorship to the Rotary Club to share out to their designated causes including the Essex Air Ambulance.

For more details, call Rotarians Mike Crannis on 01376 340179 or Ron Olley on 01376 324936.

Forms are available from Braintree Leisure Centre, Panfield Lane; Braintree library in Fairfield Road, Braintree District Council offices in Bocking End and F Hinds in George Yard, Braintree.

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