THIS year’s Dartford Half-Marathon will take place on Sunday, July 20, which will be the 27th staging of the event, making it the longest continuously run road-race in Kent.

It forms part of the Kent Grand Prix series of road races – Dartford Harrier Steve Game is currently leading the men’s category.

The race also forms part of the Dartford Festival so that those with any energy left after running the race, as well as friends and family, can enjoy the day’s events in the park.

The race starts and finishes on the running track in Central Park, in Dartford, home of event organisers, Dartford Harriers AC.

However, the race could not take place without the input of a sponsor and the Harriers are delighted to have secured Wilmington-based J. Clubb Ltd to back the race.

Simon Clubb, chief executive of the company which was established 70 years ago and is involved in quarrying and ready-mixed concrete in sites throughout north-west Kent, is pleased to be able to support a local event which, in turn, will enable Dartford Harriers to continue to offer excellent facilities to people of all ages and abilities in the local area. Cancer Research UK is this year’s nominated charity for the event and it is hoped that runners will use the race as an opportunity to collect as much sponsorship as possible.

There will be race prizes for the first six men and ladies, as well as prizes for the veteran age categories and, in addition, there will be prizes for the first men’s, ladies and veteran teams.

As well as the half-marathon, which starts at 9am, there will be a one-mile fun-run starting half-an-hour later for runners of all ages and abilities, which will be run around the outside perimeter of the track. Information and application forms for these events can be obtained from: Scott Alexander, Race Director, 3 Albion Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8SS, or email to: dartfordhalf@hotmail.com