Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell OBE will be in Cheltenham later this week.

The Great Britain rowing legend – he also won six world championship gold medals alongside the likes of Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent – will join the new organisers of Cheltenham’s Half Marathon and Community Mile, Run Joy Ltd, in the town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The 45-year-old will be visiting a number of important sporting, business and charity establishments during his three-day trip, celebrating the partnerships the event has created with local organisations.

Cheltenham’s Half Marathon will feature a brand-new route for 2017 devised by Joff Charters, course director at the experienced events company Run Joy Ltd of which James Cracknell is founder.

Working closely with Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Racecourse, the team are confident their new route will alleviate the traffic and road issues experienced in 2016 when the event was managed by another event company.

Councillor Dennis Parsons said: “I have been impressed with the professional approach of Run Joy who have made themselves available to discuss the arrangements that they are making and James Cracknell has engaged with local athletes.

“I am cautiously optimistic that this year will bear no resemblance to last year's event and that we can get back to looking forward to all the fun of the run.”

A spokesman for Cheltenham Racecourse said: “The Cheltenham Half Marathon is an annual event that attracted almost 5,000 runners last year with many running for their chosen charities. It is great to be able to work with the team and bring this event to Cheltenham. We are working closely with Run Joy to help assist and improve traffic management and ensure there is a smoother entry and exit for runners who are taking part in the race.”

Cracknell’s trip around Cheltenham will see him meet and greet some of the most dedicated athletes at Cheltenham club Almost Athletes on Thursday. The club were set up almost 30 years ago, welcoming runners of all abilities providing guided training runs, encouragement and support.

Cracknell, a strong advocate of health and fitness, will be encouraging keen runners to participate in the new and improved Cheltenham Half Marathon and Community Mile on Sunday 1st October, as well as taking part in a training run on the day with members.

On Friday Cracknell plans to visit GCHQ, Cheltenham Town Football Club and then onto Sue Ryder, one of this year’s main charity partners.

Matt Reay, events fundraiser at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “We're delighted to be teaming up with Cheltenham Half as official national charity partner as it will help raise awareness of what Sue Ryder and hospice care is all about.

“Last year the partnership helped us raise over £32,000 for the hospice, an incredible amount that would provide over 2,000 hours of care to those in Gloucestershire who need it most. The Cheltenham Half Marathon is currently the single biggest fundraising event in our calendar.”

Cracknell will spend time with the staff and charity runners at the hospice who are in training for The Cheltenham Half or Community Mile event, before leading them off for a short training run around Leckhampton.

Runners taking part in the popular Parkrun at Pittville Park are in for a treat on Saturday as Cracknell will be on hand to volunteer and scan each runner’s barcode as they complete the much loved 5k run.

Cracknell will be on hand to meet and greet people at the finish line and be on hand to answer any questions about the event.

“I am really excited to be heading to Cheltenham,” said Cracknell. “It’s a beautiful town where people are passionate about staying active and fit and encourage others to be the same. I’m thrilled we’re able to continue Cheltenham’s Half Marathon for all the keen runners, charities and organisations who benefit from the event.

“We’ve worked really hard on creating a new route that is not only on point for the runners, but will be sympathetic to the residents and road users of Cheltenham. If you’re not registered for Parkrun and would like to have a go, I’d love to see you on Saturday.”

The Cheltenham Half Marathon is due to take place on Sunday 1st October. The event will be hosted at Cheltenham Racecourse and will start at 9am. Registration for the event can be found at www.cheltenhamhalf.co.uk and details and updates will be available via Facebook and Twitter using the handle @cheltenhamhalf. The closing date for half marathon entries is Monday 4th September.