THE dates have been announced for this year's Run Jurassic festival.

This three-day event, which includes an ultra marathon, marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometre and three-kilometre children's race, will take place over the last weekend of September.

A popular festival amongst runners, the routes take in Jurassic Coast scenery such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Chesil Beach.

It takes place at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, near West Bay, but attracts runners from across Dorset.

Organised by White Star Running in collaboration with the Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT), the event is the official Jurassic Coast Running Festival, with a percentage of income from the event supporting the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Last year's festival raised more than £3,000.

Guy Kerr, from the JCT, said: "The Jurassic Coast Trust is very excited about Run Jurassic 2020.

"We expect it to be a fabulous weekend celebrating everything that’s special about our World Heritage Site.

"We encourage both seasoned runners and new participants to come along and have a go – it’s a great way to build health and fitness while having a brilliant time.

"We are tremendously grateful to White Star Running for their support. Last year’s event was very well organised and attracted fantastic feedback from runners who relished the opportunity to run amidst such stunning scenery.”

The JCT is encouraging participants to register as official trust fundraisers. They will have a target of £220 each to raise before the end of September, and will receive a Run Jurassic pack including a specially designed t-shirt.

Money raised will go towards the trust’s work in protecting and engaging people with the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Run Jurassic 2020 takes place September 25-27.

Visit jurassiccoast.org/support/run-jurassic-2020 to register as a JCT fundraiser.