Olympic stars launch Bristol marathon

Olympic stars launch Bristol marathon

Nick Rose says his knowledge of the route will help

The Bristol Half Marathon has been officially launched, with a host of big names from athletics preparing to undertake the challenge.

Former international star Steve Cram will head the field in a new Olympic Legends race, staged as part of the marathon in September.

Geoff Wightman, a former British marathon international, said: "I felt getting together the Olympians who in their day were all genuinely world-class performers, would be a novel idea."

Mr Cram told the BBC: "It is certainly intriguing to get the golden oldies together again.

Crowd pleaser

"I'm looking forward to it - it has a good competitive edge to it."

Local man, Nick Rose, a UK record holder, added: "The crowd will be a great help - as will knowing the course."

Organisers seeking to raise the profile of the race have enlisted the help of other Olympians from the 1984 Games including Tim Hutchings, Hugh Jones, Steve Jones and Mike McLeod.

Last year's race was won by Hilary Lelei in a time of 65 minutes and 30 seconds.