About 2,000 runners are preparing to take part in next month's Leicester Marathon and half marathon.

The competitors have been pounding the city's streets to get race ready for the challenge on Sunday, October 10.

Last year 2,345 runners made their way through the streets of Leicester in the two races and organisers are hoping for even more this year. People who want to join the run, in aid of Loros and the Matt Hampson Trust, have until Friday, October 8 to sign up.

Fitness instructor Nikki Love, 42, completed seven marathons in seven days earlier this year.

She is offering marathon preparation advice for the other athletes. Nikki, from Newtown Linford, said: "Runners want to start slowing down the pace about now and let their bodies begin to rest.

"Having done all this training you need to let your body assimilate the work you've done."

She also suggests "carb loading", by eating more potatoes, pasta and bagels. Nikki said: "When you get to the last couple of weeks, you need to keep carb levels high and ease back on the training.

"This will load the muscles with energy, which your body is going to need to draw on during the race."

The 26.2-mile race which starts at Victoria Park, in London Road, takes people through the city to Barkby, Syston, Queniborough, Rearsby, Ratcliffe and East Goscote before returning to the start line.

A shorter, and more popular, 13.1-mile half marathon begins in Leicester and goes through Rushey Mead, Thurmaston, Birstall, Stocking Farm, Abbey Park and back.

Marathon veteran Nikki says that race day tactics are also important.

She said: "Don't get caught up in the excitement of the moment and take off faster than you had planned, you will feel good for a while, but you will soon struggle.

"When you reach the 20-mile mark and everything hurts, take a breather and tell yourself you can do it, then put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

"Yes you will feel pain but this will be fleeting. The memory of marathon success will last forever."

The event returned to the city in 2006, after a 20 year absence, with just 150 competitors.

Online registration for the 2010 full and half marathons will remain open until Friday, October 8.

Race director and fundraiser at Loros Christian Weikert-Picker said: "The route has slightly changed this year because of the closure of Granby Street.

"Runners will go down Charles Street instead and then onto Belgrave Gate.

"Apart from that it's exactly the same – the main reason for that is that people said how much they enjoyed the route last year.

"It's quite scenic in places and takes in some of the county so people can enjoy the greenery while they run."

www.leicestermarathon.org.uk

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