The Beachy Head Marathon promises to be bigger and better than ever on Saturday with more than 1,300 runners from all over the world taking part.

The 26-mile race, formerly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon, has received entries from the USA and Holland as well as the UK making the most competitive field since the event began 23 years ago.

The race is organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and is widely seen as the most challenging in the country.

It starts and ends in Eastbourne and goes via Cuckmere Haven, the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.

Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman for Culture Mike Thompson said: "It just gets bigger and better.

"The marathon now attracts runners from as far away as the USA as well as Europe and that should provide a severe test of the abilities of all entrants.

"The course is unusual for a marathon and is a challenge to both seasoned runners and all of those hundreds of people who either jog or walk the course."

Brighton lecturer Stuart Mills won the race last year with a time of two hours and 59 minutes and he will be competing again this year wearing No. 325.

Also in the field will be 58-year-old long distance runner Danny Long from Saffron Walden, who is beginning his attempt to run four marathons in nine days.

Long, running for the Home Farm Trust, is planning to also run in Snowdon on Sunday, Dublin the next day and the New York marathon the following Sunday.

He said: "I've heard of people running three marathons in a row, so I thought I'd try four instead to raise as much money for charity as possible. I am looking forward to the Beachy Head Mararthon because it is such a challenging and scenic route."

The race begins at 9am from St Bedes School, Dukes Drive, Eastbourne. Good viewing areas include Alfriston Village, Bo Peep Hill and Birling Gap.