PLANS for a Bournemouth Marathon Festival have been confirmed with the first events due to take place in October next year.

A full marathon and half marathon will take in the sights of Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding area on Sunday October 6.

And a 5k Speed of Light race, Supersonic 10k and two junior races will be held the day before.

The festival is being organised by GSi events, who are also behind the hugely successful Edinburgh Marathon, now in its 11th year.

It is certain to attract serious and not-so-serious runners who will get the chance to wear luminous wristbands to light up the pier and promenade as they run at dusk in the 5k event. Live music will entertain participants along the route of the 10k race.

Race director Neil Kilgour said the festival is now open to entries and said the route will feature Bournemouth’s two piers, the promenade and the Dorset countryside.

“The perfect environment has produced the natural environment for running as it should be” he said.

“With miles of glorious, unspoilt golden sands and clear blue sea, Bournemouth and Poole provide a beautiful backdrop for the ultimate run in a pure and clean natural environment – we’re proud to launch a brand new festival in such a stunning location.”

Organisers hope the festival will raise millions of pounds for charity. In 2011 alone, £4.6 million was raised at the Edinburgh event.

Jon Weaver from Bournemouth Tourism welcomed the event and said: “We can’t wait to welcome the thousands of runners expected over the weekend.”

And Poole’s Portfolio Holder for Public Engagement and Participation, Cllr Judy Butt, added: “We are delighted to be hosting world class runners in our vibrant, scenic town and showing off Poole’s outstanding natural beauty.”

Anyone who wants to enter or find out more information should go to run-bmf.com