More than 1,000 runners from Bulgaria and abroad are expected at the eighth Nessebar half marathon on 20 December, the town council said. The race starts on Sunday in Mesambria Square in Old Nessebar.

More than 400 people have already signed up for the full 21km distance.

The other two races are a shorter 10km run and a 3km children's loop around Old Nessebar. Children up to 13 can enter all three free.

Side events from 18 to 20 December are part of the town's pre-Christmas programme. On Saturday, runners will visit the Ancient Nessebar museum. That day a sports retail chain is also running an event called "Rediscovering Nessebar", where participants will tour landmark sites in Old and New Nessebar. A local band will play a concert in Mesambria Square, where a film will also be shown.

Mayor Nikolay Dimitrov said the half marathon draws more participants than any other annual sports event in the town. He said it is the biggest sports event in Bulgaria in December. "The Nessebar half marathon has established itself as an undisputedly authoritative sports event of local, national and international importance," he added.

The mayor said local people take an active part in winter events that promote Nessebar. He said the town is becoming a destination for sports and cultural tourism.

The council backs the race because, it says, it makes sport part of public life, encourages people to look after their health, lets many people take part, builds a sporting culture and brings generations together around an active way of life.

The organisers pay special attention to children and young people. They believe the event encourages a love of sport and exercise from an early age.

The three distances are the same as at last year's race.