THE Hereford Times will be among the businesses backing a major new event in Herefordshire this September.

The Herefordshire Running Festival is set to bring thousands of people into Hereford and there will be around 1,200 runners competing a fun run, a 10k, a half marathon and a full marathon - all on the same day.

The festival, on September 21, is the result of a two-year partnership between Herefordshire MIND and local fitness company Fit+Healthy.

That partnership is known as Fit+HealthyMinds.

Behind the festival is the aim of not only promoting wellbeing and resilience to the wider community but increasing awareness of mental health issues – and the impact that good physical health can have on them.

And the Hereford Times will be covering the build-up and the stories behind the festival in the weeks leading up to the big day - as well as being there on the day, to cover this unique event for the county.

Watch out for our coverage each week in print and online.

The organisers have “road-tested” their festival plan over two successful 10k road race events.

Race and performance director Richard Danks says that, from the off, the festival is on track to be a unique national event within five years.

More at herefordshirerunningfestival.co.uk.