It is expected that more than 12,000 runners will take to the streets of Brighton on Sunday (April 9) for the annual Brighton Marathon and 10K.

With a course record of sub 2hrs 10min, the UK’s second fastest marathon, has grown in popularity year on year, and it is anticipated that crowds of up to 150,000 will be out to cheer the runners on.

In the men’s race, local GB athlete Jon Pepper will be in contention to finish high up the field. The Brighton Phoenix runner has a PB on the course of 2:20:28 which he ran in 2013.

Another runner from the south coast, Matthew Bennett will also hope to run well. The Southampton runner has made an excellent start to 2017, running 69:38 in last month’s Reading Half Marathon and winning the Bramley 20 mile race in February. He has a marathon PB of 2:23:13 from the London Marathon last year.

The current men’s record & course record of 2:09:25 was ran in 2014 by William Chebor.

In the women’s race Helen Davies will be out to impress, after winning the Great Bentley Half Marathon in February. The Ipswich Jaffa runner has a marathon personal best of 2:34:11.

Hayley Munn, will hope to be at her best and put in a performance that can challenge Davies. The Winchester AC runner has a marathon PB of 2:37:44.

The current women’s record was ran in 2013 by by Eunice Kale in a time of 2:28:50.

Across all the Brighton Marathon events, this years runners are supporting almost 300 charities.

The marathon will start at 9.15am, after the 10k event which heads out at 8.30am.

The marathon route itself will take runners through the city centre before crossing the finish line on Madeira Drive.