MONTHS of training, avoiding injuries and mental strength will be put to the test this weekend as thousands take part in the 2021 ABP Southampton Marathon.

Excitement is building ahead of the weekend when cyclists and runners take to the city streets in the first ever Sporterium on Saturday and the running events - a 10k, half marathon and marathon - on the Sunday.

Across the weekend, there will be 7,000 runners, 1,000 cyclists and more than 800 volunteer marshals helping out from 30 different community groups including sports groups, scouts, cheerleaders and universities.

And the event is expected to draw in more than 20,000 spectators across the area over the two days.

Organisers believe the economic benefit to the city could be in the region of around £1.3million from people coming down to visit, spending money on coffees, lunches, and hotel beds.

And it’s hoped this could be the year the event hits the £2million mark in the amount raised for charity.

The lead charity, Southampton Hospital Charity - will have nearly 100 runners taking part.

And there’s still an opportunity for volunteers to help out over the weekend too.

Saturday’s sporterium event will combines a British Cycling-endorsed race and a challenge sportive involving hundreds of riders.

It’s being billed as the city’s largest competitive cycling event and is expected to pump more than £500,000 into the local economy.

There will be a 60km and a 100km event around Hampshire but finishing in the city centre, along with a criterium on a closed road 1.7km route on Southampton streets.

On Marathon day, the full marathon will start at 9am, along with the half, with the 10k at 10am.

Thousands of people are expected to cheer on the runners as the event returns for the first time since the pandemic.

The 2020 event was cancelled as a result of Covid, and organisers say changes have been made to their plans for 2021 to ensure safety.

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