Runners on their marks at the Armagh 5k

As the children's races get underway in Armagh, we look at the runners that are likely to achieve the fastest times in the UK and perhaps the world tonight.

With hundreds of entries from at home and across the world, the cathedral city of Armagh should see the fastest men's 5k times and women's 3k times in the UK if not the world in 2018. 

Last year Ben Connor (England) won in 13:55 and 77 runners went below 15 minutes. Ben will be on the start line again, at 8.25pm, along with Hugh Armstrong (Ireland), Dewi Griffiths (Wales), John Beattie (England), Graham Rush (England) and Yannick Michaels who has travelled from Belgium.

Laura Weightman (England) won the women's race last year and will start as favourite again at 8.05pm. She will be joined by Emma Mitchell (Northern Ireland & Ulster), Claire Duck (England) and Jess Judd (England) who will vye for the podium positions. 

We look forward to reporting the results later on tonight. 

For a flavour of last year's race click here.

Good luck to everyone who will be racing around the Mall in Armagh tonight.