The only thing runners can do now is eat plenty of pasta, drink plenty of water and get a good night's rest before race day.

Team Echo – Marissa Carruthers, Cara Houchen, Alison Goulding, Georga Spottiswood and Jessica Forster – is already in a lather about the big day.

Crime reporter Marissa, 26, said; "I am looking forward to it. Last year the atmosphere was really good. There were loads of people clapping and cheering. It was great.

"I haven't done any training at all so I'll be taking it easy, but I am still hoping to beat last year's time of one hour 15."

The Junior Great Coastal Run will take place ahead of the adult event with more than 500 children, aged eight to 14, completing the 2.8km race which starts and finishes at Seaburn Park.

In the Women's event at 10.45am, the Echo girls will be running alongside 3,000 women who have signed up for the 10km race around Roker and Seaburn.The six-mile course will showcase one of the finest stretches of coastline in the North East, passing famous landmarks and Roker's stunning parks and pier.Features writer Georga, 23, said: "I can't wait for the big day. It will be amazing to see so many people running for their chosen charity.

"As well as the fun aspect of the run – although I must admit when I saw the course my heart skipped a beat. Events like this are a great way of helping the many charities that are out there.

"I hope all goes well for everyone taking part."

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the route and cheer on the competitors from the athletes in the lead to the walkers bringing up the rear.

Reporters from the Echo who are not running in the race will be there to soak up the atmosphere and talk to the crowd.

To spot yourself in the Great Women's Run slide show, or see if you got caught on camera in one of our videos, visit www.sunderlandecho.com on Monday.


Elite athletes hoping for success
WORLD-CLASS athletes running in this year's Great Women's Run will bring the eyes of the world to Sunderland.

Inaugural title holder Gete Wami will be vying for first place against opponents from 10 other countries and is determined to be first across the line again this year.

On her last visit to Wearside the former world 10,000metres champion, who is heading to the Olympics, finished the run in 33 minutes and 43 seconds.

Wami broke from the pack with two kilometres to go and steamed ahead to record an outstanding 10 second victory over Portugal's Analisa Rosa.
Ethiopia's Elfenesh Alemu came in third with a time of 33min 58sec, and British athlete Liz Yelling came fourth.

There are high hopes for local competitors Durham international, Felicity Milton, and the Chester-le-Street pair Alyson Dixon and Angela Hibbs, to perform well on home ground.

Getting there
Car: There is no parking in the area around Seaburn Park, but there is a large car park to the north along Whitburn Road (behind the Seaburn Centre).Bus: E1, E2, E6, 22 serve Roker and Seaburn seafront.Metro: Seaburn is the nearest station. The Metro service between Pelaw and South Hylton will be suspended on Sunday but replacement buses, number 900, will operate.

Temporary road closuresThe race route – which includes sections of Harbour View, Whitburn Road, Roker Terrace, St George's Terrace and Seaburn Terrace – will be closed from 6am.

The entire length of Sea Lane, Featherstone Street, and Marine Walk will be closed as well as sections of Chichester Road, Pier view and the access road to the Yacht Club.Once the runners are clear of Whitburn Road and Roker Terrace, and the race infrastructure has been cleared, these roads will be reopened by the police.

For more information go to www.greatrun.org and click on traffic and travel