SOME of the county’s best runners are set to descend on Harwich.

The town is getting set to host this year’s Essex Road Relay Championships.

Tomorrow’s prestigious race, being hosted by Harwich Runners, gets under way at 11am on Dovercourt seafront and runners will then travel along the Promenade towards Harwich.

Harwich Runners chairman Peter Gooding admits it is a great honour for his club to host the championships, which, in the past, have attracted the best runners in Essex.

“We feel privileged to have been asked,” he said. “In the past, these championships have always been held in Chelmsford.

“But we hope this year’s race will bring people into the area for the first time and hopefully they’ll return to compete in one of the other events we organise.

“It will also be a special occasion for spectators.

“We recommend that local residents interested in watching and looking for the best viewing points should chose either Dovercourt Park, the grass area in front of the beach huts near the boating lakes or the slopes below the Cliff Hotel.

“The Prom itself could be busy with competitors.

“Sixty-five teams have already confirmed entry, so there could be up to 75 taking part. It will also be the first time the event has used chip timing to produce results.”