THE Hillingdon Half Marathon returns this Sunday after an absence of ten years.

The race starts at 9am and runners will take a circular route from Brunel University, completing two laps of Cowley, Yiewsley and Hillingdon.

The closing date for entries is midday tomorrow (Friday). Entry costs £22 for unaffiliated runners £20 for those attached to running clubs) and the minimum age for runners is 17.

The race is open to everyone, from professional athletes to fun-runners, many of whom will be raising money for good causes.

A maximum field of 1,000 will set off on Sunday, compared with the 2,500 who ran in the race’s heyday in the 80s and 90s.

The relatively gentle nature of the course makes it ideal for less-experienced runners or those training for other races.

Its positioning three weeks before the London Marathon makes it ideal for those in the final stages of training.

“I think it’s great news that Hillingdon is getting a mass-participation event,” said James Shipley, of organisers Active Training World.

“Hillingdon has been a positive place for long-distance running.

“The original Olympic Marathon ran through the area and the current five-mile record was also run in the borough."

If you want to enter before midday on Friday, go to the website, www.hillingdonhalf.co.uk