Mongolia’s Ser-Od Bat-Ochir, and Joseph Mbithi Mutunga of Kenya lead the entries for a race in Brighton, England which is threatening to become the second biggest marathon in only its second year.

Former Brighton-based hero and Olympic gold medalist Steve Ovett has returned from his home in Australia to act as official starter for around 12,000 runners. Among them will be Mutunga, who recorded 2:11:53 five years ago and won the Edinburgh Marathon in 2006. Batochir, who now lives in Gateshead and runs for Morpeth Harriers, could be challenging him. The two-time Olympian has a best of 2:14:15 and he was 29th at last year’s IAAF World Championships.