THE funds raised for good causes by the second Purbeck Marathon are more than twice the previous year’s total, it has been confirmed.

Around £4,000 has been distributed to worthy causes - up by £2,500 on the inaugural event.

It has been split between Swanage Carnival & Regatta charities, local volunteer organisations and the 2013 chairman’s charity Help for Heroes.

Marathon chairman Des Connor said: “The Purbeck Marathon is proud of its position in the community and the assistance it can provide to local charities and to some of the local volunteer organisations that have helped stage the event.

“Without the help of these volunteer organisations such as Raynet, Kimmeridge Emergency Response Volunteers and the Swanage and Kimmeridge Coastguard, the Purbeck Marathon could not take place.

“In our first year with a chairman’s charity, we were also pleased to be able to give a substantial donation to Help for Heroes, a national charity that has very strong local connections.”

A 2014 chairman’s charity will be named in due course.

Alongside the donations given by marathon organisers, many runners were individually sponsored.

New for 2014 will be Purbeck Marathon charity places, which can be purchased by charities and offered to runners in return for a guaranteed level of sponsorship.

They will also have a presence at the finish on Swanage seafront in an intended ‘Charities Village’.

Race director Rose Clarke explained: “We would love to work with charities to raise much-needed funding through a link with The Purbeck Marathon.

“Charities will be able to purchase a number of places in the event to offer to their supporters who can then raise sponsorship money for the charity completing the UK’s highest-rated marathon.

“We also intend to provide greater exposure for these charities through a ‘Charities Village’ on Swanage seafront.”

Entries for the 2014 Purbeck Marathon, to be run on September 14, are already open.

Visit thepurbeckmarathon.co .uk for details.