A NORTH Yorkshire market town is gearing up for an influx of cyclists and runners this weekend with an annual duathlon due to be staged.

The Stokesley Spring Duathlon begins and finishes in the town’s High Street on Sunday (March 29).

The main race involves a 5km run, followed by a 35km bike ride and another 5km run.

For those new to the sport, there is also a novice race with a range of age group categories. It involves a slightly shorter route made up of a 3km run, a 17km bike ride and finishing with another 3km run.

There will also be a team race made up of a cyclist and one or two runners.

There is a cash prize on offer for anyone who breaks the existing record for the men’s race of 1:25:18 by Rich Hunt in 2009 and 1:39:24 set by Jane Hodgson in 2012 in the women’s race.

Every year the records remain unbroken £100 of prize money is added to the total. As the ladies’ record was broken in 2012 the prize money currently stands at £300 and for the men’s race it currently stands at £400.

The race begins at 9.30am.