Ross Grant will come out of hibernation to defend his Sussex Beacon Half Marathon title on Sunday.

The former professional cyclist has not competed in a single race since his shock victory on Brighton seafront last year.

Grant stunned everyone 12 months ago when he proved he was just as quick on two feet as he used to be on two wheels by finishing 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Paul Ilott.

But it will be even more of a surprise if the 31-year-old can repeat the feat this weekend.

"It will be interesting to see how I go because I haven't competed for so long," said Grant.

"I've been keeping up my training but just haven't been motivated to race.

"I think being a professional cyclist for four years has exhausted my competitiveness and now I run simply for the enjoyment it gives me.

"But that doesn't mean I don't want to win on Sunday. It was brilliant to come home first last year and I'd love to experience that feeling again."

Grant will be pushed all the way again by Brighton and Hove City's Ilott along with Phoenix's Dave Carter, who was third last year, and 2004 champion James Baker, of Chichester Runners.

He will also have to contend with a new course with the runners diverted away from the seafront and through the city for the first time in its 16-year history.

A record 4,000-plus field will wind their way past the Royal Pavilion and through The Lanes and the new-look route should make for faster times with the uphill section by Brighton Marina reduced.

"It's brilliant that we will run through the city now as it will take the race to the people and hopefully encourage more people to enter," added Grant.

"The Sussex Beacon is a superb event anyway and that is the reason I am running."

Chris Naylor is less confident of retaining her women's title due to the form of Arena 80 clubmate Julie Briggs.

Briggs has been unstoppable over both the country and on the road this winter and is a hot favourite to improve on her disappointing third place last year.

"Julie is running brilliantly at the moment so it will be very hard to keep up with her," said Naylor.

The race starts at 10.30am on Madiera Drive