The countdown is on for this weekend’s eagerly-awaited second staging of the Simplyhealth Great East Run, in Ipswich.

Held over the traditional 13.1-mile half-marathon distance, the race takes place on Sunday, September 16 (first of three waves starts at 10am).

The event starts and finishes on Russell Road, the route passing the prestigious Willis building before heading through the beautiful Holywells Park and travelling down to Ipswich’s vibrant waterfront.

The route then passes Felaw Maltings on the way out and back along Wherstead Road, where participants will see Fox’s Marina, Suffolk Food Hall and go twice under the iconic Orwell Bridge into Freston.

On returning to the town centre, runners will head towards Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road stadium, passing the statues of two football legends, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey, before crossing the finish line in the stadium’s practice pitch and being welcomed by hundreds of supporters in the stands.

The Simplyhealth Great Run Series now spans 13 cities, and includes 30 events, involving 230,000 runners in total and also approximately 600,000 spectators. A total of £43m was raised for charity last year.

Last year’s Great East Run was won by Ryan Prout, in 1hr 12mins 23secs, followed by Ipswich JAFFA’s Robert Chenery in 1:15:04 and Stephen Skinner in third 1:16:07

Odette Robson, of Saint Edmund Pacers, was the first female finisher in 1:23:31.

- To help people get the most out of life, everyday healthcare provider Simplyhealth has launched a train and prepare section at https://www.greatrun.org/training-simplyhealth