THE annual runners versus riders clash will be taking place on Boxing Day morning at Friday Woods.

It has been part of the festive sporting scene in Colchester since the 1930s with a healthy rivalry between runners and cyclists from local clubs competing for the Markham Cup, which was donated in 1948.

This year’s one-and-a-half mile course has once again been adjusted to make it more challenging for those taking part and the event starts at 11am.

John Hyland and Lance Williams, for the runners, and Neil Pears and Ivan Burch, for the cyclists, are hoping that the adjustment of the course, which is over three laps, will help the event to be more evenly balanced.

However, the super-fit cyclists look favourites to retain the Markham Cup, having won it for the last eight years.

The women’s race will be over two laps of the same course for the Arthur Withers Cup and another good gathering of ladies competing is expected.

After much negotiation, it has been decided that there will also be a one-lap race for under-15s, but orgainisers have made it clear that all competitors taking part do so at their own risk.