After months of training, there is only a few weeks to go before 15,000 people make their way around the city on the Bristol Half Marathon course.

The majority taking part will be amateurs, charity fundraisers and people out to rise to their own personal challenges.

Torchwood star Kai Owen and Holby City actress Phoebe Thomas are both swapping filming schedules for running shoes and will be some of the more familiar faces among the crowds.

Ms Thomas who plays nurse Maria Kendall, felt a strong link with the charity especially after her nan died of cancer.

The 26-year-old, said: "I wanted to run for a charity and I found out about St Peter's. I was bowled over by what they do, the stories and the support they offer to families really touched home."

Ms Thomas, who has been acting since she was eight and performed at the Tobacco Factory, in Southville, competed in the Bristol 10k earlier in the year and is still hoping to get more sponsor money for the hospice.

John Flanagan, community fundraising manager for the hospice said: "St Peter's is an established and much loved part of Bristol – last year alone we provided palliative care to 2,015 patients and bereavement and grief support to over 6,000 family members, including children free of charge.

"The hospice provides care from teams of specialist nurses who visit patients in their homes and also from an in-patient units and day hospice at its site in Brentry. The cost of providing this unique and specialised service to the people of Bristol is £5.5 million per year. We are so grateful to Phoebe and everyone who has chosen to run for us in the Bristol Half Marathon this year. Thanks also to our volunteer marshals who although won't be running 13 miles will do a vital job manning the route."

Anyone who would like to run for St Peter's Hospice or who would like to volunteer as a marshal can contact St Peter's Hospice fundraising office on 01179 159300 for further information.

Other official race charities this year are CLIC Sargent and Coco.