Run Norwich

We look at some of the main contenders for glory on Sunday

There’ll be two new names on the trophy this year, as reigning double-champs Nick Earl and Tracy Barlow are notable absentees.

Nick Earl who resides in Australia is unable to make the 20,000 mile round-trip to Norfolk this time out (though Nick’s identical twin brother Jonny will be representing the Earl clan), while Tracy Barlow is competing as part of Team GB in the World Athletics Championships in London (good luck, Tracy!).

So, with two new champs guaranteed, who are some of the candidates that may be challenging for the top spots on Sunday?

Last year’s second place finisher Piers Arnold (City of Norwich AC) will certainly be considered one of the favourites for race glory. He will look to beat his time last year of 32.42, and victory at this year’s City of Norwich Half Marathon bodes well. City of Norwich AC teammate Ash Harrell finished second at the City of Norwich Half Marathon behind Piers, and he’ll be looking to complete his first Run Norwich. Adrian Mussett (3rd 2015, 4th 2016; Colchester Harriers AC) has been in fine form this year, winning the Great East Anglia Run back in April and clocked a season’s best time of 32.15 at the Nottingham 10k in May. A newcomer to watch is Michael Kallenberg (Cardiff AC), who made headlines last year when he broke the Guinness Book of Record’s time for the fastest half marathon time in a superhero costume – beating many of the elite runners in the process!

Sarah Stradling (Colchester Harriers AC) finished second in the women’s race in 2015, and she’ll be hoping to go one better this year in Tracy’s absence. She ran 37.21 at this year’s London Vitality 10k. Cromer’s Emma Risbey (Winchester District AC) won the City of Norwich Half Marathon earlier in the year, and she is set to race in Run Norwich for the first. She came second in the Great East Anglia Run in April, clocking 36.40. Philippa Taylor (Nene Valley Harriers) ran 37.39 at the first Run Norwich in 2015, and has the podium in her sights.

Keep up-to-date with the action on race day by following our Twitter and Facebook accounts.