Runners can get advice from experienced racers and coaches at a series of free training sessions in the build up to this year's Perkins Great Eastern Run.

The sessions take place fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at Peterborough Embankment Athletics Track in Bishops Road.

The first session takes place on July 10 with the events held up until October 2. Each session starts with a warm-up at 7pm and will last around an hour.

Runners can meet seasoned competitors who will be acting as pacers to help entrants achieve personal best times in the race which takes place on Sunday, October 13.

Councillor Steve Allen, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for recreation, said: "Running is becoming more and more popular in Peterborough as witnessed by the recent Sunrise 5K event which attracted over 200 participants, as well as our previous free lunchtime sessions which were well attended.

"These sessions are a great way to get in shape for the Great Eastern Run and get advice on how to prepare for the big day. They are led by some of the best coaches in the region and are suitable for people of all levels of fitness and experience with runners split into groups to reflect their ability."

Runners do not have to be signed up to the Perkins Great Eastern Run to take part in the sessions, you could be considering taking part or just want some running advice.

Target times for pacers will range from finishing the race in just under 90 minutes, to up to three hours which is the race limit.

Representatives from the charity Anna's Hope will be on hand at the first session for anyone who wants to find out about the 5K Fun Run event.

Visit www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk for more information about pacers, target times and the free training sessions. Entries to the half marathon and Fun Run.

Follow the latest Perkins Great Eastern Run developments on Twitter @PerkinsGER, Facebook www.facebook.com/ThePerkinsGreatEasternRun and Instagram @perkinsgreateasternrun.

The chance to get advice from experienced runners and coaches will be on offer at a series of free training sessions in the build up to this year's Perkins Great Eastern Run.

The sessions take place fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at Peterborough Embankment Athletics Track in Bishops Road.

The first session takes place on July 11 with the events held up until October 3. Each session starts with a warm-up at 7pm and will last around an hour.

Runners can meet seasoned competitors who will be acting as pacers to help entrants achieve personal best times in the race which takes place on Sunday, October 14.

Annette Joyce, Peterborough City Council's Service Director for Environment and Economy, said: "Running is becoming more and more popular in Peterborough as witnessed by the recent Sunrise 5K event which attracted over 200 participants, as well as our previous free lunchtime sessions which doubled in attendance this year.

"These sessions are a great way to get in shape for the Great Eastern Run and get advice on how to prepare for the big day.

"They are led by some of the best coaches in the region and are suitable for people of all levels of fitness and experience with runners split into groups to reflect their ability."

Runners do not have to be signed up to the Perkins Great Eastern Run to take part in the sessions, you can be considering taking part or merely just want to get some running advice.

Target times for papers will range from finishing the race in just under 90 minutes, to up to three hours which is the race limit.

Representatives from the charity Anna's Hope will be on hand at the first session for anyone who wants to find out about the 5K Fun Run event.

Visit www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk for more information about pacers, target times and the free training sessions. Entries to the half marathon and Fun Run.

Follow the latest Perkins Great Eastern Run developments on Twitter @PerkinsGER, Facebook www.facebook.com/ThePerkinsGreatEasternRun and Instagram @perkinsgreateasternrun.

Peterborough City Council is informing residents and motorists about road closures around the city, necessary for this year's Perkins Great Eastern Run. 

Both the half marathon and the Anna's Hope fun run will start and finish on The Embankment. The 5km fun run starts at 10am on Sunday October 8 and the half marathon follows at 10.30am. 

Entries to both races close at midday on Friday 6 October. Organisers already anticipate a record number of entries for the half marathon. There are no entries available on the day. 

To ensure the race goes as smoothly as possible the council will be closing several roads on the 13.1 mile route. 

The following roads will be closed between 9.30am and 10.45am: Rivergate, Bourges Boulevard (southbound) from the Queensgate roundabout, Priestgate, Cathedral Square, Long Causeway and Broadway. 

In general, all other roads along the route will be closed from 9.30am until 2pm. However, as the last runner passes each mile point, that road junction will reopen. 

The mile points and approximate reopening times are: 

1 mile - 11am - Broadway to Northminster 
2 mile - 11.15am - Park Road to Park Crescent 
3 mile - 11.30am - Fulbridge Road to Foxdale 
4 mile - 11.45am - Paston Ridings to Witham Way 
5 mile - 12pm - Corfe Avenue to Rockingham Grove 
6 mile - 12.15pm - Lincoln Road to Staverton Road 
7 mile - 12.30pm - David's Lane to Hodgson Avenue 
8 mile - 12.45pm - Fulbridge Road to Aster Drive 
9 mile - 1pm - Donaldson Drive to Pratt Avenue 
10 mile - 1.15pm - Fulbridge Road to Tennyson Road 
11 mile - 1.30pm - Dogsthorpe Road to Park Road 
12 mile - 1.45pm - Eastfield Road to Boongate 
13 mile - 2pm - Embankment - finish 

Annette Joyce, service director for city services and communications at Peterborough City Council, which organises the race, said: "With the Perkins Great Eastern Run fast approaching it's important residents and businesses take note of these road closures. 

"The race is one of the biggest events on our annual calendar and we expect many hundreds of residents and visitors to come out and support the runners along the course. 

"However, we always want to minimise the impact on other residents by ensuring they know in advance about the necessary road closures we need to put in place. We would like to thank road users for their cooperation during this event."

Entries to the half marathon and fun run can be made online. Visit www.perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk for more information.