THREE major athletics events are being held in Bishop Auckland this weekend.

The New Balance Running Fitness road race will take place on Sunday morning, starting in the grounds of Auckland Castle.

A record number of more than 800 runners will take part in the 10km race, which is in its fourth year.

Some of Britain's top distance runners and overseas stars will take part alongside club runners and fitness enthusiasts.

Hoping to cross the finishing line first will be Kenyan athletes Julius Kimtai, course record holder and twice winner, as well as Michael Rotich and Willy Kirui. Also entered are Julius Kibet and Marc Verijdt.

Women taking part include favourites Yelana Burykina of Russia and Miriam Wangari of Kenya.

English runner Debbie Robinson, who finished fourth in the Commonwealth Games marathon, will also be in the line-up.

This year's event will be bigger than ever as it will include the National Veterans' 10km Championship for men and women.

And thanks to the success of previous road races it has been chosen to include the annual North versus South, Midlands versus Wales inter-area match. Among the runners will be some of Britain's finest athletes including Matt O'Dowd and Matt Smith, both of whom represented England in the Commonwealth Games.

Max Coleby, head of community and cultural services at Wear Valley District Council, said: "This is a big event for the town to host.

"In four years it has gone from a non-existent event to one of the country's top five 10km races.

"Athletics fans across the country will be reading about Bishop Auckland in a positive light, and with more than 1,000 people visiting the town the area has to benefit."

The race will start at Market Place and Bondgate at 9.30am and takes in two laps of Bishop Auckland, passing through Market Place and the grounds of Auckland Castle in the first lap where it will also finish.

A presentation will follow immediately after the last runners complete the 10km route.

Motorists are asked to be patient and use an alternative route through the town as routes through the Market Place will be closed from 8.45am.