Preparations are well underway for the upcoming annual Westlink M7 Cities Marathon, to be held on Sunday 31 July. This year up to 200 runners from Australia and abroad are expected to vie for the prize pool of nearly $25,000.

Westlink M7 Executive General Manager, Jeff McCarthy, said Westlink M7 is looking forward to hosting the event again on the M7's shared path: "A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring that the path is ready for this year's marathon. The M7's shared path is a popular local amenity for cyclists, pedestrians and marathon runners alike."

The Westlink M7 Cities Marathon is internationally accredited by the International Association of Athletics Federation and attracted over 200 competitors from across Australia, the United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Kenya, Hong Kong and New Zealand in 2010.

Starting in Liverpool, the marathon route will take runners along the Westlink M7 shared path for 30km before turning back to complete the regulation 42.195 kms at the Blacktown Olympic Park in Rooty Hill.

The Westlink M7 Cities Marathon event is unique in that it also features a Marathon Relay, with two runners each running a half marathon on the course, and a Kids Marathon. The Kids Marathon is part of a series held around Australia, which involves children from kindergarten to high school running a marathon - 1 kilometre at a time.

"The Westlink M7 Cities Marathon is gaining increasing national and international interest every year. The runners love it because the route is traffic free, and primarily off-road on a sealed undulating pathway, making it an enjoyable run," said Mr McCarthy.

Westlink M7 advises that the shared path will be closed to the public for the morning and duration of the Westlink M7 Cities Marathon (3.30am to 1.30pm) on Sunday 31 July.