Around 900 runners are set to be on the start line for Sunday’s Stevenage Marathon and 40th anniversary half marathon.

Starting from the corner of Grace Way and Martins Way at 10am, 500 competitors have signed up for the half-marathon while 400 will take part in the full 26.2-mile race.

The event is organised by Fairlands Valley Spartans which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The half-marathon is an annual event but the full marathon is only staged once every ten years.

All proceeds go to charity and this year’s chosen cause is Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of a much-loved club member.

The races, which finish in Hampson Park, are open and will include the county championships for Hertfordshire.

For further information, visit https://stevenagehalfmarathon.org.uk/enter-stevenage-half-marathon.

Meanwhile, 26 Spartans finished the first cross country league race of the season at Hoddesdon on Sunday.

Grant Ramsay was first home for the club in 26th place in 30.32, followed by Jay Papa in 43rd in 31.46.

Tracey Pez was the fastest female from Fairlands, crossing the line in 137th place overall in 38.02, with Zoe Jackson the club’s next woman in 182nd in 40.27.