Gastro runners will be getting into the maritime swing of things as they take part in Saturday’s ‘fast food’ fun run between Totnes and Dartmouth.

The annual Delicious Dart Trail gets under way at 9am from the Totnes Pavilion as hundreds of runners in fancy dress eat and drink their way along the 15-mile Dart Valley Trail.

Last year’s fancy dress theme was Fairy Tales, which saw a whole range of runners togged out as fun characters from Snow White and around a dozen dwarves to Alice in Wonderland and a white rabbit.

This year the theme is Under the Sea and runners are expected to show up in all sorts of fishy garb.

The Delicious Dart Trail is now in its fourth year and last year attracted some 350 runners.

It raises money for Chicks, a Devon-based charity which provides respite breaks in the countryside for inner city children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Last year the event raised more than £5,000 for the charity.

Pubs, cafes, hotels and restaurants, which line the route through Totnes, Ashprington, Tuckenhay, Dittisham, Greenway, Kings­wear and Dartmouth, will be welcoming gastronauts with a selection of bite-size tasters made with the finest local produce.

Runners can look forward to sampling more than a dozen sweet and savoury dishes, washed down with tempting tipples including Sharpham wine, Teign­worthy beer, Heron Valley cider and Luscombe’s juice.

The run finishes in Dart­mouth’s Old Market, where there will be live music, a fundraising raffle and children’s activities from 1.30pm.

The Delicious Dart Trail is now sold out but those not participating can still join in the fun said event founder Kate Treleaven, who added: ‘The Delicious Dart Trail makes for a really entertaining day out for spectators with a great carnival atmosphere.

‘Take a seat at one of the pubs or cafes along the route and toast the exuberant runners as they pass by or head straight to the finish in Dartmouth and cheer the runners home.’

The Delicious Dart Trail is sponsored by Coast & Country Cottages, Cater­food and the Royal Castle Hotel, and supported by more than 30 other local businesses.

For a course map and more details, visit http//:www.deliciousdarttrail.co.uk.