A new half marathon for Carlisle - which will take place a month before the Great Cumbrian Run - is set to launch this week.

The running event, named Carlisle Half, will take place in the city for the first time on September 2.

The event includes a brand new fun run, 10k and half marathon route. Organised by Ian Milburn, of IM Events, and Mike James, of Endurance Sports, who recently organised the hugely successful X Border 10k, the event is set to be a great edition to the running calendar.

Milburn told the News & Star: "With running getting so popular we wanted to launch a new event off the success of the X Border which gives the whole community an opportunity to run.

"We really want to incorporate the family running element by offering a range of races for all abilities.

"We also want to really incorporate the charity fundraising element of running."

The pair are no strangers to organising running events, having worked together on the Edinburgh Half Marathon and setting up the English Half Marathon in Warrington, now in its 10th year.

Mr James was previously the Race Director for the Great Cumbrian Run from 2000-2008 and has worked on a vast range of events including the 2014 Common Wealth Games and the recent X Border race between Carlisle and Gretna.

The new Carlisle event is set to have music along the route to spur runners along their way and the organisers say that the race will have a nominated charity of the year to which they will encourage runners to fund raise for too.

Details of the route and its starting/finishing points are being kept under wraps until the launch on Friday.