WITH just 20 weeks to go before the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon, the Adver is launching a weekly feature to help fledgling runners find their feet and go the distance.

Every week we will be writing about the best running advice including tips on fitness, kit, nutrition and the best Swindon routes to get you half marathon ready by October 10.

Health reporter Hayley Court will also be putting her money where her mouth is, donning her trainers for the challenge to come.

Each week in her column Running Scared, Hayley will be testing out the latest running advice, gear and fitness regimes to get race-ready.

She will be joining the estimated 3,000 entrants on race day for what will be the furthest she has ever run.

We will also be asking Swindon Half Marathon stalwarts what they love about the race and why they are coming back for more this year.

This year marks the seventh Swindon Half Marathon – a 13.1 mile loop starting from Nationwide Building Society in Pipers Way and taking runners around the hilly course through scenic countryside over the Wiltshire Downs.

The Swindon Half Marathon was the first race of its distance event manager Helen Maine had run when she dusted off her trainers in 2005.

The 40-year-old, who joined the Swindon Half Marathon events team three years ago, is now calling on other would-be runners to sign up for what she says will be “an emotional and rewarding experience”.

“It is a great course for your first half marathon,” she said. “I’m not going to pretend it’s not challenging but a few hills certainly beats more than 13 miles of flat grey concrete.”

Helen ran the autumn race in 2005 – the year after giving birth to Fearne, now five.

“It was just the right challenge I needed at the time,” said the 40-year-old.

“I’d had a baby and was out of shape so the half marathon was just the goal I needed to set for myself. I think completing the course is entirely possible with a 20-week training plan and I would urge anyone to give it a go.”

Helen, who will be supporting beginners’ running club Swindon Shin Splints this year, says that half the battle in completing the distance lies with the many enthusiastic marshalls and supporters who line the route every year.

“We see the same faces year on year,” she said.

“They are always there to cheer you on, to give you some words of encouragement or just to tell you you’ve not far to go and they really help to make the race what it is, not to mention the hundreds of people who bring out their deck chairs and tables to sit along the route and lend their support.”

For more information or to sign up for the Swindon Half Marathon call 0800 169 3672 or visit www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Fees range from £17.50 to £20 and participants must be 17 years or over on the day of the race.