Personal bests will be smashed and thousands of pounds raised for charity – the Great Cumbrian Run returns today and its going back to its traditional home.

About 1,000 people are expected to take part in the biggest race in Cumbria’s sporting calendar with runners crossing the starting line at 10am.

The event is going back to familiar territory this time around and will be starting and finishing at the Sheepmount athletics stadium.

From the start line runners will head into the city centre via the castle, before heading out into the countryside.

On their return to the city, runners will pass the Cenotaph in Rickerby Park, run through Bitts Park and finish on the track at the Sheepmount.

It has been several years since the run was held there.

For the last few years the event has kicked off at Carlisle Castle with the athletics venue being out of action since it was devastated during Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Tom Rice, partnerships manager for GLL who organise the Great Cumbrian Run, said it was great to be back at the Sheepmount.

“The Sheepmount was substantially damaged both internally and externally during the floods,” he said.

“It’s taken some time for the city council to be able to reinstate but we are now up and running.

“It’s the traditional home of the Cumbrian Run and it’s making a welcome return to its roots. It’s almost like being back at home.”

Mr Rice said Carlisle Castle has been a great host, and thanked them for their hospitality.

He added: “We were at the castle because it’s such an iconic venue, and we had been there for about five years.

“But we have taken the opportunity since the Sheepmount is back up and running to go back.

“The castle really has been a superb host but if you can run the event from your own facilities and also it’s also the home of athletics in Carlisle.”

Online entries closed earlier this week but limited race entries will be available on the day, so anyone with a last minute urge to take part can do so.

Mr Rice continued: “The Cumbrian Run is a great opportunity to be involved in an established event which has been going for 37 years.”

One other big change to the event is that the family fun run, which accompanies the main race, took place yesterday rather than just before the full Cumbrian Run.

Mr Rice said “Traditionally the Cumbrian Run has had the family fun before it.

“This year we had the family run at the Sheepmount from 10am which was an opportunity for families to take part and run together through Bitts Park.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the race organiser Matthew Graham and his team who have spent lots of time making improvements and coordinating the event this year.”