All you need to know about Ipswich Half Marathon

The annual race sees runners tackle a 13.1-mile (21km) route around Ipswich

Runners will pound the pavements of Ipswich this weekend as they look to smash their personal bests while raising money for good causes.

The Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon returns on Sunday, with spectators expected to line the streets to cheer those taking part all the way to the finish line.

Runners of all abilities will lace up their trainers for the 13.1-mile (21km) race, ranging from speedy athletes with a point to prove to joggers happy just to make it to the end.

Ahead of the big day, here's everything you need to know about this year's event.

Where and when is it taking place?

The Ipswich Half Marathon will get underway at about 9:30BST on Sunday, with runners setting off from Ipswich Town's Portman Road Stadium.

Participants can arrive up to two hours before if they need to collect their race number from the office at the ground.

A spokesperson for the event said: "We are so excited and already can't wait to see thousands of you reach your goals while raising huge amounts of cash for such deserving charities within the local community and beyond."

What is the route?

As the runners venture away from the home of the Tractor Boys, they will head down Duke Street via Upper and Lower Brooke Street, then along Ipswich Waterfront.

After passing through Holywells Park and onto Cliff Lane, they will make their way around the River Orwell, heading towards Wherstead Road and past the Suffolk Foodhall.

After turning near The Street, the runners will head back the same way they came before running along Grafton Way and eventually crossing the finish line back at the stadium.

Will there be road closures in place?

Yes, unfortunately for motorists, a lot of roads will be closed during the race.

Some of these include A1156 Waterworks Street, Sir Alf Ramsey Way, Princes Street, Queen Street, Portman Road, Vernon Street, Wherstead Road, St Peter's Dock, Grimwalde Street, Fore Street, Buttermarket, and many more.

All of the roads affected by the half-marathon will be shut from 8:30. They should all be reopened by 13:15, but some will be accessible earlier.

For the full list of road closures, click here.

What will the weather be like?

Luckily for the runners and spectators alike, the temperatures on Sunday morning should be quite bearable – in fact, some might say they will be the ideal conditions for a run.

Between 9:00 and 12:00, the weather should not be hotter than 16C, with a low of 14C about the time they first set off, according to the Met Office.

Over the course of the morning, there will be sunny intervals before it becomes cloudy around lunchtime.

I am running in the half marathon – what can I expect?

First of all, good for you! Committing to running a half-marathon can be daunting, especially if this is your first foray into running a long-distance event.

Thankfully, in addition to the awesome atmosphere and super support you will likely receive from the crowd, there will be a host of facilities on hand to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

There will be toilets around the stadium, and in the event village, there will be a selection of food and drinks available to purchase. The surrounding area also boasts several bars and cafes.

After setting off, you will find water stations throughout the course, where you will be able to pick up bottles of water to keep you hydrated.

High5 energy stations will also be available on the route, offering tabs and energy gels.

The race will begin and end at Ipswich Town's Portman Road football stadium

If you have no way of monitoring your pace during the run, fear not. Over the course of the 13.1 miles, there will be pacers who can help you stick to your intended finish time.

They will have flags attached to them with finish times, so you can choose the best pace to suit you.

While it is hoped nobody gets injured or requires medical attention during the race, there will be qualified medical personnel on hand in case they are needed.

They will be stationed at regular intervals throughout the course, with fixed first aid stations located near the water stations.

There will also be a first aid unit and recovery area located near the start and finish line, as well as roaming first aiders around the event village.

And finally, you can listen to music as you make your way around the course, but only if you use bone-conducting headphones and ensure the volume is kept low.