RUNNERS are being given the chance to help make history and take part in the one-off Great Yarmouth marathon.

Great Yarmouth Road Runners are organising the event, which will take place on October 21 this year, to mark the club's 25th anniversary.

The club formed in November 1987 and has a 70 strong team of runners who attend training sessions every week.

Jeffrey Helmore, who has been a member of the club for more than 23 years and chairman for 15, said: 'Holding a marathon was my idea to celebrate our anniversary.

'It will be a one off event and we are organising it in conjunction with Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

'We have still got two or three life members at the club but only one is still an active runner.'

The event will be held on October 21, the same day at the club's annual 10k race along the sea front.

The 26.2 mile race will see runners cover three laps starting from St George's park in Trafalgar Road, stretching along the seafront to the end of the Quay.

Mr Helmore said: 'There is the potential for it to be a fast course. We haven't got a limit on how many people can enter.'

Details including the entry fee and start time are yet to be finalised but Mr Helmore said he expected the race to start at between 9am and 9.30am and would cost around �25.

'We only got the go ahead a couple of week ago,' he said. 'It's a one-off event and will never appear on race calendars again.

'Everybody at the club is on board although most of the runners will be marshalling rather than taking part unless we can get some extra help.'

Alan Carr, head of tourism at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: 'We are very excited about the marathon. It's the same day as the 10k run which has been going for a number of years. We are thrilled that Great Yarmouth will be holding its own marathon.

'I think it's great for the town. It's good news for the guest houses as hopefully people will be staying overnight. It will also have a knock on effect with local businesses.'

The race is only the second full marathon to be held in Norfolk as the first North Norfolk marathon is taking place on May 13.