AROUND 4,000 athletes will tackle the 33rd Wilmslow Half Marathon on Sunday.

Areas of the town will come to a standstill other than for runners of all levels setting off from King’s Road at 10.30am.

Since 1984 this popular event on the UK’s half marathon calendar has attracted thousands to contest the 13.1 miles route heading out to Mobberley and back.

Some will be racing for medals, others setting out for personal best performances, while many will be supporting charities.

It is an event that has served athletes well over the years, examples being 2010 champion Andi Jones (Salford Harriers), two-times men’s winner Tomas Abyu (Salford Harriers) and three-times women’s victor Michelle-Ross Cope (City of Stoke) using the event as a springboard to European, world or Commonwealth Games championships.

Last year, Kenyan Josphat Kipkemoi was a clear winner in 1hr 4mins 59secs.

Kenya’s Barnaba Kipkoech showed the greater sprinting ability to beat Altrincham AC’s Mohammad Aburezeq into third place, with Rob Downs the best Wilmslow Running Club competitor in 29th place.

Another Kenyan, Teresiah Ormosa, won the women’s race in 1hr 14mins 49secs, while fellow Kenyan Damaris Areba was second and Hungary’s Fanni Gyurko third. Janine Ellis was the highest placed Wilmslow Running Club athlete in 20th.

A change this year sees the introduction of pacemakers, ranging from 1hr 15mins through to 2hrs 10mins which is aimed at helping runners to achieve their goals.

There will be closures covering all roads in the King’s Road and Altrincham Road area, and along the course to the finish on Morley Road.

Competitors are being advised to car share or use public transport where possible to get to the start and to arrive in plenty of time.

This year the chosen lead charity for the race is The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.