Runners are being urged to hurry in order to enter a brand new half-marathon that starts and finishes at Carlisle United's Brunton Park ground.

The first Carlisle Half takes place in the city on Sunday, September 2 with nearly 1,000 people set to take part.

Organisers are hoping even more will get involved before entries close this weekend.

The event will feature three different races - a half-marathon, a 10k run and a 2k fun run - and takes in many of the city's landmarks.

It will also help raise funds for Eden Valley Hospice, with the event inspired by former United footballer Tony Hopper, who has motor neurone disease.

Organiser Ian Milburn, of IM Events, said: "After the Carlisle v Workington legends game last year, I was speaking with Tony, who was saying he would like to have some sort of legacy.

"This idea then came up, to put a run on every year. It is a local event right on the doorstep - hopefully it will be a success and something we can keep building."

Milburn has teamed up with Mike James of Endurance Sports to launch and organise the Carlisle Half.

The pair have previously worked together on the Edinburgh Half Marathon and in setting up the English Half Marathon in Warrington.

On the Carlisle Half route, Milburn said: "It will go up Warwick Road, around the Crescent, through the Citadel and the Lanes, back up past the town hall, into the cathedral, down Abbey Street, around the back of the castle and Bitts Park, then up Stanwix Bank towards Brampton Road.

"It then heads out to Crosby-on-Eden, and after a little loop back around, into Linstock, through Rickerby Park and Stony Holme, past the training pitch and the west stand at Brunton Park, in through the Paddock gates, and will finish in front of the players' tunnel."

There will be entertainment at different stages along the route, including the final day of Carlisle Fringe in the city centre, while Carlisle singer Courtney O'Neil, who starred on the ITV show The Voice earlier this year, will be performing at the finishing line.

Explaining the decision to nominate the chosen charity for the inaugural event, Milburn said: "When we chatted with Tony and his family, it was their idea to raise funds for Eden Valley Hospice.

"Sue, Tony's wife, has worked there and they will also be involved with Tony as his disease progresses.

"I met Tony just a few years after I finished as a youth team player at Carlisle, and we've been friends for the best part of 25 years.

"It's a great cause. We know the Great Cumbrian Run is taking place about five weeks later, but with running as popular as it is today, we are confident there is enough interest to have a number of events locally.

"We wanted to try and do something different."

All runners will receive a goody bag and a medal featuring the city's motto 'Be Just and Fear Not', with half-marathon runners also receiving a commemorative t-shirt.

United captain Danny Grainger is set to be the official starter for the fun run, with other Blues legends set to be involved on the day, whose main sponsor is the Cumberland Building Society.

The half marathon and 10k runs start at 9am and the fun run at 12.15pm. Although entries officially close on Sunday, Milburn said a limited number of late entries will be allowed on the day.

For more information and to register, visit www.carlislehalf.co.uk