EACH year the Brighton Marathon attracts a number of top-class distance runners and this year is no different.

Previous editions of the race have seen participation from elite athletes from around the world, including a number of successful African runners.

Notable male runners preparing for the race include Brighton based duo Kevin Rojas and Jon Pepper, who will be up against Matthew Bennett from Southampton.

Kevin and Jon will be competing to become the first Brighton resident to win the marathon, with Kevin representing Brighton and Hove City AC running club and Jon running on behalf of his club, Brighton Phoenix AC.

The men’s course record is held by William Chebor of Kenya with a winning time of 2hr.9min.25sec in 2014.

The best British athlete performances came in 2011 with Dan Robinson, finishing in 4th place with a time of 2hr.19min.11sec.

Notable women who will be taking part in the marathon include Helen Davies, on behalf of Ipswich Jaffa running club, who has a marathon personal best of 2hr.34min.

Helen recorded her fastest half marathon performance in four years recently when winning the Great Bentley Half Marathon.

Hayley Munn, of Winchester AC running club, ran the 2016 Brighton Marathon in 2hr.38min.4sec, so she heads into the race with the fastest recent performance over the 26.2 mile distance.

Hayley finished behind Helen Davies at the Great Bentley Half Marathon but has the quicker personal best, so has the potential to run a lot faster than her marathon best of 2hr.37min.44sec, set in 2014.

The women’s course record of 2hr.28min.50sec was set in 2013 by another Kenyan athlete, Eunice Kales.

The Brighton Marathon course records rank Brighton as the second fastest marathon in Britain ever.

Finn McNally will carry Sussex hopes of success in the 10k race during the Brighton Marathon Weekend after training with Mo Farah in Ethiopia.

Tom Naylor, director of race organisers Grounded Events, said: “The whole weekend will be a hive of activity for our participants and their supporters.

“We can’t wait to welcome you to the 2017 Brighton Marathon Weekend there and the beginning of your marathon journey.”

The Brighton Marathon Weekend includes The Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Mini Mile Races on Saturday, April 8, with the BM10k and the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 9.

The Event Village is open from April 7-9 in Madeira Drive which will include an exhibition about the event.

For more information, visit brightonmarathon.co.uk.