More than 1,000 runners expected at Norfolk marathon

Steve Hitcham, the race director of the Norfolk marathon, hopes to develop the race to have the same reputation as the London, Manchester or Brighton marathons

Race organisers are expecting more than 1,000 runners in a marathon across the Norfolk coast.

The first Norfolk Marathon, which has been organised by EPIC Norfolk, is taking place on Sunday.

The route, which is sponsored by Tarmac Traffic Management, will take runners across North Norfolk finishing overlooking Cromer Pier.

Steve Hitcham, race director said: "We want to bring an annual event to Norfolk such as the London marathon, Manchester marathon, Brighton marathon."

Organisers started planning for the race in April 2023 and have received 1,200 entries, making it a sell-out event.

EPIC Norfolk has organised numerous races including the Blickling Half Marathons and EPIC 5K Races.

A similar race was previously held by North Norfolk District Council, named the Mammoth Marathon, which was cancelled in 2023 due to low numbers.

Mr Hitcham said: "We want to bring an annual event to Norfolk such as the London marathon, Manchester marathon, Brighton marathon a lot of these ones have built up a reputation... we want to develop the Norfolk marathon to be the same."

Runners taking part in the race which starts and ends in Cromer, will receive a medal with a Cromer crab on it

The route will start and finish in Cromer and will see entrants tour through Northrepps, Southrepps, Bradfield, Trunch and Gimingham.

"It's challenging there's a lot of work to be done for it... the starting point is getting a route that is suitable, obviously 26 miles is not easy to try to close most of the roads for that distant without affecting too much locally."

Entrants will gather on the start line on Cliff Avenue and finish on Tucker Street overlooking Cromer Pier.

Whilst a series of road closures will be in place on Sunday, organisers have arranged a six hour cut off time for runners and expect clear up to take place around 15:30 BST.

He said that runners will be able to expect a crab shaped medal once they reach the finish line.