ENTRIES for the Blackpool marathon have closed because the capacity 3,000 limit has been reached.
Athletes from all over the UK as well as France and Germany will compete in the big race on Sunday week, June 4.
The new race headquarters at the Winter Gardens will host a two-day expo, athlete's registration, pre-event pasta party, baggage holding
area and pre and post event massage.
This year sees the runners lining up for the mass start directly outside the town's most famous landmark, the Tower.
Marathon and half marathon runners alike will line up for a 9am start for the charge down the Golden Mile before turning just before Squires Gate Lane.
There are no wheelchair entrants taking part this year but local handcycle competitor Dave Burns will again represent the resort in the half-marathon.
The new course then takes in the Promenade, Lower Walk at the North Pier and then on to the most northerly point of the course at Anchorsholme Lane.
Marathon runners will exit the Middle Walk north of the Metropole Hotel before starting a second lap. All runners will finish in grand style on Princess Parade directly behind the Metropole, race day HQ.
Blackpool & Fylde AC captain Brian Hall heads the field of local competitors and is favourite to take the veterans' title, though he will will face strong opposition from Dutch International and City of Stoke AC's Arvi Hartveld, who boasts a personal best for the marathon of two hours, 19 minutes.
* THE Freckleton Half Marathon is also heading towards a bumper entry for its 42nd running on Sunday, June 18.
Organiser Brian Porter said: "Entries are going very well and we could see a record this year."