The 33rd edition of the City of Norwich Half Marathon is being held this Sunday.
It will be the second year of the race being held in April and the third year with a one-lap course, a loop of open countryside along undulating roads which starts and finishes at the Norfolk Showground – sponsored by local chartered accountants Larking Gowen.
First staged in 1985 by Duke Street Running Club, the race was originally based in the centre of Norwich, before moving to the showground in 1993.
After wintry conditions made for a difficult race in 2015 the event was not held in November 2016, before returning in its current guise last year, offering good timing for those tapering for the upcoming London Marathon.
Runners head north out of the showground and through Easton before heading out to Colton and towards Honingham. They then turn south towards Barnham Broom, before heading to Marlingford and past Easton & Otley College on the way back into the showground for the finish line.
With temperatures of around 12C forecast for the 10.30am start time, with a light breeze and a slight chance of rain, conditions should be decent for around 2,000 participants taking on the 13,1-mile challenge.
Last year it was Piers Arnold crossing the line first, in one hour, 12 minutes and 32 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of City of Norwich AC club-mate Ash Harrell (01:14.13).
The first woman to finish was Emma Riseby of Winchester & District AC in 01:27.07, in 35th overall, five minutes clear of unattached runner Amelia Lambert (01:32.29) in 78th overall.
2017 report: Arnold leads a City of Norwich one-two as heat takes its toll on the field
The course record for men was set in 2005 by unattached competitor Neo Molema, finishing in 01:03.59, and the women's record was set in 2003 by Mara Yamauchi of Harrow AC, crossing the line in 01:14.49 – who went on to represent Great Britain and finished sixth in the Olympic marathon final in Beijing in 2008.
The official charity of this year's race is Macmillan Cancer Support, for the eighth year running.
• For further details about the race, go to cityofnorwichhalfmarathon.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here