Countdown to Half Marathon

Add in the popular 3K Family Fun Run which complements the main event and the Gransha grounds and environs will reverberate with the sights and sounds of running, jogging and walking feet between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Entries for both events will be taken right up to Sunday morning, however St Columb's Park will accept entries until 5pm on Saturday and then race HQ moves to the U3A Foyle Building in Gransha where entries can be made from 8am to 9am (Half Marathon Walk), until 10am (Half Marathon Run) and up to 10.30am for the Fun Run.

Of course it's best to enter well before Sunday morning so if you still haven't done the deed then get your skates on right away. Call into St Columb's Park or ring 71343941/71347695 for information. You can also access race details on www.derrycity.gov.uk/halfmarathon.

The Half Marathon Walk starts at 9.30am with the runners going off at 10.30am. Finally the fun runners start their off road 3K at 10.45am and they all should be finished just in time to cheer the first runners back to the finish in Gransha.

The popular Kids' Zone with lots of family friendly entertainment, located right beside the finish area will help keep everyone occupied throughout but no doubt there will be equal excitement demonstrated as the runners begin to stream home from around 11.35am.

Hot and cold food concessions will be on site during the event so all that exercise can be rewarded, not just with the finishers' medals but with something more sustainable.

The final line up as ever, will not materialise until the gun goes on Sunday morning but both 2009 winners, Stephen Duncan and Pauline Curley are expected to defend their titles.

Tullamore Harrier Curley, sat out last weekend's National championships in Carlow and will travel north well prepared to notch her third Waterside women's title although 2008 winner, Maria McCambridge of Letterkenny AC was an impressive winner in Carlow and could well show up to spoil the party.

Second and third placers from last year, Inishowen's Helena Crossan and the Lagan Valley AC, Londonderry native Rona Harkens, are others to watch while the local Spartans could potentially turn out their strongest squad for years.

Anne Paul hopefully will recover from last weekend's major duathlon championships to lead the female red vests alongside the much improved Marina Campbell, fourth last year and the Dessie's Run winner last Sunday.

Jacqueline McGinley, Sarah Mahon and Hannah Shields should be the other major players for the Spartans this weekend.

Omagh Harrier Duncan just bested Greg Roberts last year and has been showing good form in recent months.

He is a strong athlete and with Joe McAllister not expected to line up - he finished third in Carlow at the weekend - and Roberts opting for the Great North Run - Duncan will be the man to beat for the 500 winner's prize money. His clubmate Owen Gahan was a clear third in 2009 and is definitely on the start list.

Omagh took the three to score team championship last time but will have to replace Noel Collins this year.

This could open the door for the City of Derry squad even without Roberts and the injured Diarmuid Grant. Declan Reed, Emmet McGinty, Brendan Murphy, Gary Slevin, Paddy Mor Doherty and Damien McGinty could well take advantage and will go to the line ready for the challenge.

Letterkenny, North Belfast Harriers and Willowfield Harriers will also fancy their medal chances.

On paper all have strong squads and former Sparta star Tommy Hughes has joined North Belfast, finishing fourth in last Sunday's Laganside 10K behind two teammates and winner, Brian Campbell of Willowfield.

The 5,500 plus prize fund covers all age groups from U20 to Over 70 and the competition across all age categories will as usual be hotly contested as will the extensive local finisher awards on offer.

The three Person Team Relay will also pull in a big entry - the City Hotel already have three squads entered - and with former main commercial sponsor Eamonn Gee putting up Walkers prizes the 200 plus in that category will be out to impress as well.

There will of course be some traffic disruption in and around the Gransa Grounds, Temple Road, Strathfoyle, Maydown Road and the country bound dual carriageway between 9am and 1.30pm on Sunday but the PSNI and race marshalls will be on hand to minimise this.

Drivers are asked to exercise extra caution in the area during the above hours.