THIS Sunday's Stroud Half-Marathon will be waved off at 10am by Nailsworth's Olympic marathon hero Dan Robinson.

More than 2,000 runners will be taking part in this year's event from Marling, making it by far the biggest event of its kind in Gloucestershire.

The race is a big fund-raiser for charity, with around 100 entrants from the Williams Syndrome charity and many runners will be raising funds for the official race charity, the Cotswold Care Hospice at Minchinhampton.

The men's race will be a very competitive event, the pace likely to be set by two internationals, Joseph Kaibor of Kenya and Kassa Tadessa of Belgrave Harriers who was fifth last year and has run for Great Britain.

Local interest will be focused on Mike Smith of Bourton Roadrunners, having an excellent season.

Another local runner, Kevin Spillman of Cheltenham, should be well up the placings in the V40 race, meanwhile,Severn AC's Les Davis should be near the front in the V60 race.

For the ladies, Melanie Ellis of Shaftesbury Barnet, running as an LV40, will be setting the pace, closely followed by Julia Myatt of Newcastle and Liz Hartney of Reading AC.

Local interest will see Wendy Jones of Cirencester, Sian Lewis of Severn AC and Kate Goodhead of Slad running for Bristol and West.

Familiar faces to look out for include Forest Green boss Gary Owers, running his first race, Lee Christmas the current top local V40, 18-year-old Iain Whitfield looking to beat 75 minutes in only his second Stroud Half-Marathon.

Meanwhile, Stroud's V70 trio of Tony Christmas, Alan Dodd and Ron Ellis, all hoping to finish in under two hours.

Race results will be found by visiting stroudathleticclub.org.uk THE SNJ will carry a race report and picture special next Wednesday.