THE route has been marked. The roads have been cleared. And, today, Worcester will be awash with runners. So what do you need to know?

How many are running?

Around 4,000 are expected to take part.

When does it start?

The hardy types will set off on the half marathon at 9am with the young athletes hot on their heels at 9.10am and the 10k-ers hitting the road at 9.45am.

Which way are they going?

The Route: 10K

Runners will meet at Worcester Racecourse. The race begins on Croft Road, heads across the river towards St John's, loops around Cripplegate Park then heads back across the river towards All Saints Road in the direction of The Butts and towards the city centre via Foregate Street. Runners will make their way through New Street and Friar Street before passing the Museum of Royal Worcester and the Cathedral. Runners will head towards Quay Street and run along a riverside path before crossing the footbridge at Diglis Lock and heading towards Chapter Meadows.

The route returns past Worcestershire County Cricket ground to Croft Road for the finish.

The Route: Half marathon

The Half marathon will follow the same route as the 10K until Worcestershire County Cricket Ground where the two races will separate, with half marathon runners circling around Cripplegate Park and heading up Hylton Road and towards the University of Worcester’s St John’s Campus. Runners will go along Oldbury Road before heading towards Upper Broadheath and Lower Broadheath, turning right along Martley Road and heading back towards the city centre. Participants will turn right down Fern Road, and then down Himbleton Road, before running along the river to the finish at Croft Road.

The Route: Young Athletes

Those aged seven to 10 will run a mile of the 10k route while young runners, aged 11 to 15 years, will run 3km.

Whose idea was this again?

Steve Cram's actually. The former Olympic runner founded the Worcester 10K in 2014 and it has proved so successful, a half marathon has been added for the first time this year. He was spotted in the city yesterday helping to set up for the event.

Which roads will be closed?

6am-3pm

Grandstand Road, home to the athletes' village, and Croft Road, where the races will start and finish, will remain closed from 6am until 3pm.

8am-11am

The Butts

Farrier Street

Foregate Street

New Street and Friar Street

8am-11.15am

Himbleton Road

Comer Gardens and Fern Road

8am-11.30am

Oldbury Road from Comer Gardens to Howard Road

8am-11.45am

Crown East Lane

8am-midday

Bell Lane

Martley Road B4204

Henwick Road from Martley Road to University entrance

8am-12.30pm

North Parade and North Quay

College Road and Deansway

Bridge Street and All Saints Road

Worcester Bridge, both ways

Hylton Road

Tybridge Street

New Road

8.30am-11.30am

Portland Walk

Mill Street

Diglis Road

Basin Road

Diglis Dock Road

Navigation Road

Does it matter if I cheer?

Yes! Organisers say the runners would love to have a noisy reception from the crowds.

These are the best spectator areas or 'Cheer Points' along the way:

1. Deansway - The Active Foot Company will host a cheer point outside its store

2. Diglis Park

3. Hylton Road, at Sabrina Bridge - you can simultaneously watch the runners go out towards mile six and come back towards the finish line

What should I have for breakfast?

Advice varies for runners but the general rule of thumb is nothing you haven't had before! If you aren't running, we'd suggest perhaps a nice bacon butty?

We're running a live blog for the race where you can share your pictures with us. Or post them to the Worcester News facebook page or tweet us @worcesternews