The number of participants is rapidly approaching the upper limit of 750 for the race this autumn.

Co-ordinator Paul Corrigan of the Badaguish Outdoor Centre, told the “Strathy” he would like to accommodate as many locals as possible in the first race, however, such is the level of interest that the entry may have to be closed sooner than they had planned.

He said: “At the moment entries are coming in at a rate of 20 to 30 each day and we are already over the 600 competitors mark. The event may not be until October but locals have to realise that if they leave it too late there will be no chance of them taking part this year with an absolute limit of 750 places in the event.”

The race is the first long distance running event to be staged in the pristine Caledonian forest landscape and clear mountain air of Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park area.

Course organisers have created a 13.1miles/21km route through unspoiled natural surroundings which will offer long distance runners a change from the common experience of tarmac routes through towns, cities and built-up areas.

Entrants for the race scheduled for Sunday, October 15, will enjoy an invigorating mountain, loch and forest route as they run, jog and walk the scenic half marathon course.

From the start in Glenmore Forest Park at the foot of the Cairngorms the race will skirt around Loch Morlich and head through the Rothiemurchus Estate Caledonian pine forest before emerging to finish at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.

The first Aviemore Highland Half Marathon is the brainchild of Paul Corrigan, organiser of the highly successful Corrieyairick Challenge 43-mile Duathlon.

He said: “While we are encouraged to see entrants from all over the UK registering to take part and coming to the area for a fantastic running experience we also want to see the local community embrace this event and make sure the area is well represented in competitor numbers.

“That’s why we need them to send in their applications before it is too late.

“We can guarantee pure mountain air, natural paths underfoot and stretches of Caledonian pine forest canopy to give runners a unique feeling of being at one with nature and the Highland landscape.”

The 750 runners will find Mr Corrigan’s many years of experience of running the Corrieyairick will ensure the event is fully resourced and supported along the route.

For those who would like to take part but aren’t quite in peak condition a less demanding fun mile event has also been planned.

Commonwealth Games star Simon Pride has already signed up for the event. Pride is ranked world number one in the 100km, he won the World Corporate Games 10km in 2000 and was Dublin Marathon Champion in the same year.

He said: “I’ve been running for over 25 years, and I don’t get excited by marathon runs too often any more.

“But I can honestly say that this half marathon has got my imagination going; it’s a unique event combining a point to point route, in a stunning setting with mixed terrain and I think it will be a really enjoyable run.

“I was fairly certain many others would think the same, which is why I got my entry in early. I don’t expect it to be a personal best route, as the terrain will break any rhythm you would normally adopt, but it’s not too hilly and will give the feet a rest. I’m really looking forward to the event.”

The major sponsor of the event, Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort (MAHR), is providing the resort’s Osprey arena for participants’ changing facilities and Alvie room for registration, showering and toilets.

The resort will also be laying on a post event barbecue to replace the participants’ lost calories.

MAHR operations director Ruaridh Macdonald said: “The Aviemore Highland Half Marathon is exactly the kind of event we want to see in the area.

“Firstly, it attracts people to the area and secondly gives them a reason to go out and experience this special landscape in an activity they enjoy. “Macdonald Hotels is delighted to be hosting competitors and we look forward to what will be an exciting new date in the Aviemore and the Cairngorms activity calendar.”

Participants will pay an entrance fee of £12 for members of Scottish Athletics and £14 for non-members and all monies raised are going to help fund the centre running costs and support special projects at Badaguish.

The half marathon is one of a series of sporting events which the new Aviemore and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation (ACDM) hopes to add to the portfolio of attractions for visitors coming to the area throughout the year.

ACDM interim director Yvonne Crook said: “The Aviemore Highland Half Marathon is another imaginative and distinctive event for us to promote and our visitors to look forward to.

“The enthusiastic response so far shows we have a special environment here for outdoor sports and activities and this is another strong, positive message which will reach potential visitors.”

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