THE inaugural Severn Bridge Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 24, starting in Chepstow.

The event, organised by Rogueruns, provides an opportunity to race across the iconic ‘old’ bridge on the closed M48 main carriageway. This is the first time permission has been granted for a running race to take place on the bridge since it opened in 1966.

The eastern section of the Severn Bridge will be closed to allow runners a fast, unimpeded crossing of the bridge. The event gives runners a historic opportunity to race on a closed motorway, between sea and sky, between two countries.

The 13.1 mile scenic route starts in Chepstow on the M48 motorway, crosses to England over the River Severn, then takes in roads and picturesque country lanes near Thornbury, and finishes back in Wales after another Severn crossing on the old bridge. The undulating course has a total ascent of 152m with one hill and is all on tarmac.

The two chosen charities for the event are St David’s Hospice Care and Barnado’s.

All runners will receive a goody bag with a medal, technical t-shirt and other goodies. There will also be cash prizes and trophies for the first five men and women, veterans in five year age categories from 40-70, and male and female teams.

The route will be fully marked and marshalled, with water stations en route.

Runners can enter online on the official website: http://www.severnbridgehalfmarathon.com/