After the successful revival of the Gas Hill Gasp for last year's Lord Mayor's Celebrations, the gruelling cycle race will return again this year.

Brave cyclists will try and become king of the hill as sprint races up to the top of one of Norwich's tallest, and steepest, hills are held until a winner is determined.

The competition begins from 7pm on Friday, July 6, with heats of four riders being run for elite riders, club riders and under-16s.

A new addition will be the Norwich Six Bridge river swim between 9am and midday on Sunday, July 8.

This will be an open water swim under six bridges along the River Wensum, from New Mills Yard to Cow Tower.

The traditional Lord Mayor's 5km City Centre Classic road race will also return, being run before the Lord Mayor's Procession with a 4.45pm start time.

Now in its 17th year, the women will be gunning for the record-breaking winning time from last year of Gemma Steel, from Caolville, in Leicestershire, of 15 minutes and 59 seconds.

While the men will be aiming to take the crown from Ethiopian Tewodros Shiferaw, pictured, from Birchfield Harriers, who stormed to victory last year in 14 minutes and 26 seconds.

For more details about the Gas Hill Gasp, which has an entrance deadline of June 16, go to www.lotuscycleracing.org/gas-hill-gasp

For further details about the road race go to www.conac.org.uk, or for information about the river swim, go to www.activeoutdoorsport.co.uk