A SMALL Hampshire coffee chain will give away more than 2,000 litres of the hot stuff to runners taking part in this year's APB marathon runs.

Mettricks will supply 2,270 litres of coffee - enough to fill 28 bathtubs - to 10,000 people taking part in the full and half marathon and 10k run in April.

The company's founder, Spencer Bowman, said the gesture is a thank-you to every runner for putting in the hours of winter training, fundraising for charities and for "creating an event that the whole city can get behind and feel really proud of".

He added: "The ABP Southampton Half Marathon has been a fantastic addition to the city’s events calendar.

"It brings out the very best in our city and is a great way to show Southampton at its best to the thousands of extra visitors who come in to the city on the day.

"It’s our pleasure to give something back to the runners by offering them a free cup of coffee this year.

"For those taking part in the full marathon in particular, I’m sure a caffeine boost will be well-needed!”

Runners will get a special voucher for their free coffee in their race packs, which are redeemable from April 24 onwards at all of Mettricks’ coffee houses in Southampton and Beaulieu.

The ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k run take place on April 23 - starting and ending in Guildhall Square.