MORE than 2000 runners hit the streets on Sunday for the Watford Half-Marathon with the eight-year-old-race-record expecting to be smashed by possibly the highest quality field in the race's history.

However, any budding athletes hoping to turn up at Cassiobury Park on the day can expect to be dissapointed.

"We are full," said race organiser Dick Parles. "We will be accepting no more entries on the day."

"Last year, around three hundred people turned up on the day and we are concerned about crowd congestion this time around.

"However, there are still places available in the Junior Race and anyone wishing to enter should meet at the Marquee in Cassiobury Park."

There will also be major differences in the race itself. While everything will still kick off from Cassiobury Park, this year, the finishing line will be in the Gade Avenue Car Park.

"We are moving the finishing area this year to allow better access to the finishing line for both spectators and emergency services."

As for the race itself, a high quality field promises for the most exciting half-marathon in years.

Favourite for the men's race will be the Kenyan, William Mussoyki, the current Brazilian champion.

Mussoyki has a marathon personal best of 2:10.08 and is sure to be close to breaking the Watford half-marathon record of 65.39 minutes.

However, British Champion, Kassa Tedesse originally hailing from Ethiopia is sure to be his closest rival, hoping to hit top form with the British Marathon season just around the corner.

Meanwhile, Amin Koikai, winner of the race for the last three seasons will be determined to hang onto his title.

With another eight runners predicted to break the 70 minute mark, there is no doubt that the course record is under serious threat.

However, many locals will I am sure be secretly glad if the record remains intact for another couple of years at least.

Kevin O'Connor ran a remarkable 65.39 minutes in 1994 but his athletics career was tragically cut short at the age of 32 after suffering from an arthiritc hip.

Kevin continues to help organise the race though, and has been at the finishing line every year since expecting to see his record broken but has remained as holder.

Meanwhile, the ladies' record of 76.06, set by Watford's Danielle Sanderson, is also under threat with a young pretender threatening to snatch the world-class endurance athlete's crown.

Jane Livings has only been in the sport for five months but has been burning up the courses and is hotly tipped for international success in the future.

The action starts at 10.30am on Sunday, from Cassiobury Park with Watford Football Club legend Luther Blissett on hand to get the race off with a bang.

The Juniors start five minutes later, and Luther will be around to present their trophies at the awards ceremony after the race.