organisers of the Brighton Marathon and 10k elite races have attracted some of the best runners in the UK for this year’s events.

Spectators can expect closely fought, truly competitive races with the possibility of course records in the BM10k.

Tom Naylor, event director, said: “We gave our British field pride of place in last year’s races which was a huge hit with spectators. We’re showcasing the best of British again this year and looking forward to some tightly contested races.

“It’s great to see some local runners in contention and we hope everyone will come out and support them. With the right conditions, we could well be looking at some new personal bests for these athletes which would be fantastic for British running.”

With a new start time of 9.45am, the Brighton Marathon will see fast work from several closely matched athletes, both defending champions and debutants.

All eyes are sure to be on Kevin Rojas of Brighton and Hove AC in the men’s race. Kevin is back on form after pulling out before last year’s race due to illness. Up against him, Stuart Hawkes of Tipton, last year’s impressive winner of the men’s marathon, will be defending his title against other stiff competition as will Helen Davies of the Ipswich Jaffa club, in the women’s.

Before the Brighton Marathon gets under way, the BM10k race takes place at 9.00am, also a new start time.

Last year saw the biggest field yet and with 2018 promising yet another high-quality line-up, the course records of 29:03 and 32:35, set by Adam Hickey in 2016 and Aly Dixon in 2014 respectively, look set to be in real danger.

British internationals Steff Twell and Gemma Steel have won the women’s BM10k race since Dixon’s record was established, but it remains unbeaten.

The organisers said both men’s and women’s races are lining up to be among the UK’s quickest and most competitive of 2018 with many using it as part of their preparations for the “Night of 10,000m PBs” gathering, due on Hampstead Heath on May 19, which incorporates the 2018 European Cup and the 2018 European Championship Trial.

The Brighton Marathon Weekend comprises The Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Mini Mile Races on Saturday, April 14, the BM10k and the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 15, and the Event Village all weekend in Madeira Drive.