ORGANISERS of the first-ever Ruby Run, a half-marathon between Hatherleigh and Holsworthy, say interest in the new race is hotting up from the athletics world.

Cllr Dennis Bater, mayor of Hatherleigh and one of the race organisers, said he had high hopes for the run.

He said: ?A lot of people have expressed an interest in it. The unique thing we found out recently is that it?s almost, within a yard or so, of being exactly a half marathon between Hatherleigh Square and Holsworthy Square, so we?ll only have to adjust it a tiny bit.?

Cllr Bater said the inaugural race will be run from Hatherleigh to Holsworthy ? if it proves successful, the following year?s race will be run in the opposite direction.

?Apparently if it?s run that way it could prove to be a record breaker,? he said.

He said the date of the race has been changed to Sunday June 15, to avoid clashing with other athletic events and hopefully maximise the number of entrants.

Any profits from the event will be donated to the Children?s Hospice South West, although runners are welcome to raise money for a charity of their choice if they prefer.

The race is named after the Ruby Country, an area of 45 parishes surrounding Hatherleigh and Holsworthy.

Rosemary Austin, co-ordinator for the Ruby Country Initiative, said: ?Ruby Country is basically a rural regeneration project to bring greater prosperity to the area.

?Currently, 19% of tourism in the South West is concentrated along the coast from Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! yet the Ruby Country sees very little of these visitors.

?The initiative hopes to promote the area, the quality of produce, crafts and culture.?

Rosie said one of the first steps to be instigated by the iniative was to create a series of circular walks, drawing on the environmental and cultural assets of the area.

?The Ruby Trails will provide an outdoor activity network for visitors, enticing them to stay in the area rather than dash off to Dartmoor, the Eden Project or the coast.?

The initiative is linked to a number of agencies, including Devon Wildlife Trust, West Devon Borough Council, DEFRA, South West Lakes Trust and WestDEN.