IS IT A bird? Is it a plane? No it's a Brighton marathon runner.

John Stoppard is in training as he focuses on breaking the world record for a marathon run while dressed as Superman.

The 37-year-old is undertaking the Kryptonian feat for Fareshare Sussex, a charity which redistributed surplus food to the hungry.

A former athlete, the gym manager from Southwick ran for the city of Salisbury growing up and for his university as a student, and managed to finish tenth overall in the Brighton Marathon last year.

He said: “The costume isn’t the lightest of things, but I’ve done three runs in it and they went pretty well.

“I did the times that I wanted to, but in the suit I haven’t run more than 10k in it, which is pretty hot so I imagine the full marathon is going to be very hot.

“The record was set in London in 2011, it’s two hours 42 minutes. My personal best is two hours 36 minutes. So I reckon I can do it. If I have the perfect race I’ll do it

“But 26 miles is a long way, anything can happen.

“I want to raise £500 for Fareshare and I’m well on the way, but every contribution helps and it’s a great charity.”

Meanwhile the organisers of the 2016 Brighton Marathon have released a list of elite entrants, including last year’s winners who will be competing to be the first through the finishing tape.

Reigning champions Duncan Maiyo and Pennina Wanjiru will return to defend their titles on Sunday, April 17.

The Kenyan pair claimed the men’s and women’s crowns on the seafront in 2015 with Maiyo slicing more than a minute and a half from his personal best and Wanjiru marking her marathon debut with an eye-catching victory in the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race.

Event Founder Tim Hutchings said: “To have both our reigning champions return is clear indication that they enjoyed their visits 12 months ago, but we’ve purposely not made the defence of their titles easy and the quality in depth of both races will mean fierce contests on April.”

The race starts at 9.15am in Preston Park.

The marathon is just one part of the Brighton Marathon Weekend, an event that also encompasses The Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Mini Mile Races, the BM10k and the Brighton Marathon Exhibition.

Visit brightonmarathon.co.uk for more details.

To donate to John’s fundraising campaign go to justgiving.com/John-Stoddart