One of the major road races in the English road-running calendar, it has again been awarded the status of AAA English National Road Race Championships.

It's the third time it has secured such status in recent years.

The race, as usual, is organised by Chichester Priory Rotary Club, who raise considerable sums of money for charitable causes through the event.

The success of the 17 previous years' races has ensured this year's race is again extremely popular, with some 1,500 runners from all over England expected to compete.

In a recent survey of organisers, participants and the governing bodies, Chichester was among the top 50 of the 2,000 races staged in the UK.

There is a special prize available again this year for any male and female runners who break the course record – 29min 02sec for men and 32.07, set last year, for women.

There are two special cash prizes for local runners. The Observer will be presenting the Ben Steppel Memorial Prize to the first local man home – that's named after our former sports editor, who died suddenly last year – and organisers will present the Colin Thorne Memorial Prize to the first local woman finisher.

The race limit is virtually reached – no entries will be accepted on the day.

Spectators are welcome.

Watch out for our video and picture gallery from the race on this website on Monday and Tuesday - followed by full coverage with all the results in Thursday's Observer

The start is centred in Northgate car park and the race comprises one lap of the north-east segment of the city and beyond, out to Westhamp-nett roundabout, Claypit Lane and round Goodwood Airfield to Pook Lane, East Lavant and back down the Lavant Road to finish in the Northgate car park.

Organisers are apologising to motorists for delays, and advising them to avoid these areas between 11am and midday.

Graham Jessop, road race committee chairman, said: "The Chichester race, particularly the fast, flat course always lends itself to an exciting event and 2008 should be no different.

"There's every likelihood a number of male runners will be under the magical 30 minutes for the distance."

One of the leading contenders is likely to be Jermaine Mays, making his third appearance at Chichester, where he will be hoping to improve on his second place last year, which came in 29min 26sec.

Darren Deed of Bedford, who was ninth last year, and Steve Sharp of Belgrave, who was tenth, will be involved and are likely to be joined at the front by Russell Dessaix-Chin and Ben Tickner of Wells City, making their Chichester debuts.

As the event also features an inter-area match, fierce competition is expected from the Midlands team of Tim Dalton (Severn AC), Tim Russell (Bristol & West), Jean Ndayisenga of Birchfield Harriers and James Walsh, who now runs for Leeds City.

The Northern team sees Peter Riley, the course record holder, running as part of a strong line-up also including David Forester, Ian Boneham and Mathew Pierson – all potential sub 30-minute runners.

The men's team event is likely to be dominated by the two London clubs, Belgrave Harriers and Newham and Essex Beagles, first and third in the recent Southern Road Relay Championships.

Competition for third place is likely to come from Bedford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sou-thampton and Kent AC, as well as Chichester Runners, who will provide the largest contingent of entries.

The team are once again likely to be led home by James Baker, who is so successful in local races both on the road and over the country, and by Joe Forshaw.

In the women's race, previous winner Birhan Dagne, of Belgrave Harriers, is returning to face strong challenges from Wendy Nicholls of Cirencester AC, Caroline Hoyte from Arena 80 (Brighton) and Susan Bush and Emily Adams from Aldershot, Farnham and District.

Still with the women, in-form teams from Aldershot, Farnham and District and from Arena 80 are the ones to look out for. Aldershot won the recent Southern Relays and Arena has its entire bronze medal team of Caroline Hoyte, Julie Briggs, Fiona Clark and Louise Vallier in the race.

The women's Northern area team, fresh from victories at the Northern road relays, include Alyson Dixon from Chester le Street and Katie Ingram from Horwich. They also feature Vick Gill, third in the high-quality women's field at Chichester last year.

Jessop added: "There are 1,400 other runners representing their clubs, running for charity, looking for personal bests or turning out for the first time.

"Among them will be Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, who like many others is returning to Chichester.

"We wish all participants an enjoyable and successful run and we hope the weather will be kind to us."

Race sponsorship is again shared between Peter Cooper, the local VW dealership, and Brooks, the international shoe company. Both will have teams competing.