The organisers of the 2017 Ealing Half Marathon have announced that there are just 400 places left for the Ealing Mini Mile, which has sold 1100 of its 1500 places within a few weeks of entries opening.

The Mini Mile has enjoyed a surge in popularity following the announcement that it would take place the day before the Ealing Half Marathon, on September 23, to allow for a greater number of participants.

It will be the first time that the Mini Mile takes place on a different day to the half marathon, and the news has been welcomed by many young runners aged 6-16 who are keen to experience a big sporting event and the thrill of crossing the finish line.

The Ealing Mini Mile was first held in 2013 and has become a much-loved part of the Ealing Half Marathon.

It sees runners cover a one-mile route around Ealing’s Lammas Park, with plenty of support from family and friends who come out to cheer on the youngsters.

The race sells out each year, with all places snapped in under 24 hours in 2016, and any young runner wishing to take part in this year’s larger, stand-alone event is encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible.

Local independent girls’ school St Augustine’s Priory has been confirmed as the main sponsor for the 2017 Ealing Mini Mile, in addition to fielding 50 pupils in the event as well.

The girls will all be running in school kit, providing an eye-catching sea of blue t-shirts among the traditional green of the Ealing Half.

The Ealing Mini Mile will take place on the afternoon of the Saturday and children will be split into different age categories. Prizes are awarded to the winner of each age category and every runner gets their finish time.

The 6-7 years age category is already closing and the other age groups are also expected to sell out shortly. The Mini Mile will fully close for entries on or before 13th April.

The Ealing Mini Mile attracts junior members of the local athletics clubs as well as children of the Ealing Half Marathon runners, plus a large number of youngsters who have never taken part in a running event before.

The increased capacity for 2017 will give many more young runners the chance to take part and try something new, which is very much in line with Ealing Half Marathon’s commitment as a Community Interest Company to make sport and fitness available to all.

Each year a different local school is selected to design the Mini Mile t-shirt, and Ealing’s Mount Carmel Primary School has been chosen to create a winning design for 2017.

The entry fee for the Ealing Mini Mile is £10 per child, which includes a unique medal, water and a t-shirt for all finishers. A maximum of 1500 places are available and online registration is open: https://www.riderhq.com/events/72790/ealing-mini-mile.

The Ealing Half Marathon starts and finishes in Lammas Park on Sunday 24th September and features a 13.1-mile route on closed roads around the leafy streets and parks of the West London Borough.

It is well known for its huge support and lively atmosphere.

The Ealing Half Marathon and the Ealing Mini Mile are organised by Ealing Half Marathon CIC, a Community Interest Company that invests all money raised at the races into sporting and health-promoting activities within the local community.

Until 30th April, the entry fee for the Ealing Half Marathon is £38 for affiliated athletes and £40 for unaffiliated runners. The fee rises to £40-42 between 1st May – 31st July, and the race is expected to sell out by the end of July.

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and to sign up.

You can also like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf #EalingFeeling on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Ealing Half Marathon.