Runners have been inundating sports shops and chemists across Brighton and Hove as they get their last minute supplies for the Brighton Marathon.

With just five days to go until the big race, supplies of running socks, trainers, gel packs and energy drinks are flying off the shelves.

There has also been a rise in sales of iPods, Vaseline and water bottles to help keep runners going over the gruelling 26.2-mile route.

Sam Lambourne, who runs the Jog Shop in George Street, Brighton, said: “We've been selling a lot of things like gel packs and other glucose and specialist type items that help with endurance as well as the more obvious running kit.

“We are always generally pretty busy at this time of the year because of people taking part in the London Marathon.

“We would normally arrange to take two coach-loads of runners to London but for the last two years everyone has been choosing Brighton instead.

“That's a pretty good boost for the city. It’s great.”

Up to 15,000 runners are expected to take part in Sunday's marathon and about 100,000 spectators will be cheering them on.

DON’T miss The Argus for full coverage of this year’s marathon.

This week we will have a range of stories culminating in a full preview in Saturday’s paper with a map of the route, weather forecast, road closures and the best places for spectators to stand.

During the race, we will have pictures, videos and updates with a picture gallery of runners and the crowd. You can text pictures and videos to 80360 with the catchline SUPIC or email pictures to news@theargus.co.uk The Argus press gang will be at Hove Lawns giving you the chance to write good luck messages to runners.

We will be publishing a picture special on Monday followed by a list of the full results on Tuesday.