GOOD luck to all our London Marathon 2017 runners who will take on the 26.2 mile course this morning.

This year is the 37th anniversary of the race and will kick off with the wheelchair race at 9am.

At 9.15am the elite women's group will set off, followed by the men's group and mass start at 10am.

Here's a round-up of all our locals taking part:

Katie Davill, of Mill Bridge, Halstead, will run the London Marathon followed by the Stockholm Marathon in June, in aid of the SMA Trust.

Katie’s best-friend, Nataleigh Hammond, gave birth to her son, Laigan, in July and when he was a few days old he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type one.

Doante to Katie's fundraising here 

Harley Addington will be running in aid of the charity Meningitis Now after  losing two family members  to the illness. 

The 24-year-old of Brook Meadow, Sible Hedingham, has already raised more than £3,000 with some impressive fundraising, but is hoping to push on to £4,000.  Donate here

Halstead Road Runners will be showing strength in numbers when a seven-strong team take on the Virgin London Marathon.

After 11 years of trying, Sara Burnham was successful in the public ballot and is looking forward to her first London Marathon.

This will be her third attempt at 26.2-mile distance, and she’s eyeing a four hour and 30 minutes finish.

Steve May also got a place in the public ballot and London is set to be his debut full marathon.

Steve is fundraising for Essex Air Ambulance, and has set himself the target of three hours 45 minutes, although he will be over the moon to complete the race, whatever the time. Show Steve your support here

New recruit Simon Humphrey joined the group to help with his training.

After already notching up almost £1,500 in sponsorship for Make-A-Wish UK, Simon is aiming for three hours 50 minutes on the day. Donate herehttps://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Simon-Humphrey4

Halstead Day Centre is set to benefit from Jon Buist’s run and he is proud to be put something back into the community. 

Laura Marfleet joined in October and just two weeks later found she had a place in the London Marathon and will raise money for Essex Air Ambulance.

Training alongside club marathon legend Andy Wilmott, she has benefited from his guidance, and is hoping to finish the marathon in 4 hours 30 minutes.

Andy, 73, has already notched up 710 marathons and this will be his 26th London Marathon.

Bob Langley qualified for a ‘Good for Age’ place and has been in good form over the winter, aiming for three hours 30 minutes.

Kathryn Bronson, who is also supporting the day centre, was gifted a place through the club ballot.