London runs to sound of music

London is to get its first official half-marathon, with live music to encourage runners.

The organisers of the Run To The Beat event, in which up to 10,000 people will take part, are consulting experts about the best music to enhance performances.

The 13-mile run on 5 October will begin and end at the O2 in Greenwich and go past three venues for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Local bands along the course will play music selected by Dr Costas Karageorghis, a lecturer in sports psychology at Brunel University who has spent the last 20 years studying the impact music can have on physical activity.

He said: "I will be working closely with the organisers to scientifically deliver music throughout the course with tunes designed to motivate and boost performance of every runner by up to 20 per cent."

The half-marathon, organised by IMG Mass Participation Sports, is being supported by West End show Stomp and new music festival City Showcase, which will recommend London's most exciting talent to perform the music.

Launching the event today, IMG managing director Nick Rusling said: "Run To The Beat is a unique idea for the fitness and running world.

It is London's first half-marathon and will be the first that brings music into the heart of a running event.

"We are working with global specialists to help us deliver what will be a truly inspirational event for the lucky 10,000 people that take part."

Mr Rusling said participants would also be asked what music they usually listen to while running so they can also have input into what they will hear during the half-marathon.

"There will be different music for each element of the run, such as going up a hill," he said. "We are going to use Dr Costas's science to work out the type of music we should be using and then taking that to the City Showcase so they can come up with the right musicians for the course."

Leukaemia Research, the event's official charity partner, is looking for entrants to join the Banana Army, its running team.

Chief executive Cathy Gilman said: "We're extremely proud to be the official charity for Run To The Beat. This half-marathon with a musical twist will help us raise much-needed money to beat blood cancers."

Philip Beard, chief executive of the O2, said: "We are thrilled to be part of Run To The Beat. The O2 is a leading music venue, an official Olympic venue and one of London's most iconic buildings, so it seems only fitting we should be involved in such a great idea."

The race entry fee is £30 per person.