WALES’ newest marathon will stay in Newport for the next three years following approval from two members of the council’s cabinet.

Cllrs Deb Harvey, cabinet member for culture and leisure, and Jane Mudd, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, have signed off on the city staging the ABP Newport Wales Marathon, and associated 10k race, until 2020.

The initial marathon takes place in a little over a week, on Sunday April 29, starting and finishing in the city centre. The route mainly takes in the Caldicot levels.

The 10k race, which stays within Newport, takes place on the same day.

It is hoped that the marathon and 10k races, both delivered by Run4Wales, will generate £1,141,500 for the city as a “direct economic impact” from participants and spectators.

The boost to charities was also cited by Run4Wales, with around 50 per cent of the runners raising more than £240 for good causes.

The authority will pay £30,000 as an annual financial contribution towards the marathon and 10k, which will be supplemented by a limited value in kind support for officer time.

The Welsh Government will also supply a maximum of £120,000 over a three-year period towards the running events.

The initial agreement applies for the three years only after which time the events should become “self-sufficient and sustainable without a need for additional public funding”, according to the council report.

However, in terms of finances, Monmouthshire County Council has not contributed towards staging the marathon, despite a section of the route passing through the county.

The council will assist in closing a number of roads though.

“Monmouthshire’s traffic team has been consulted on the route and has assisted with the resulting closures and traffic management, though we understand that the impact will be minimal,” said a Monmouthshire council spokesman.

“We extend a warm welcome to spectators to support this inspirational event as it passes through Magor’s square where they can enjoy a very good view as well as a range of facilities.”

Around 6,500 runners will compete in the marathon in 2018, and more than 1,700 in the 10k, although the participant figure has been capped for this year.

Between 18,000 and 20,000 spectators are predicted to watch the events on the streets of Newport and Monmouthshire.