THOUSANDS of people are expected to take to the streets on Sunday as the Scottish Half Marathon returns to East Lothian.

This year, the main race will be preceded by a 10k race for the first time as runners set off from Musselburgh Racecourse at 9am for the shorter challenge. Last year’s half marathon saw more than 4,000 runners take part in the race raising an estimated £500,000 for charity.

Organisers predict that figure could almost double as the 10k attracts additional athletes.

The race is described as “fast and flat, making it perfect for a personal best”.

The half marathon starts at Meadowmill Sports Centre, near Tranent, at 11am on Sunday, heading east towards Longniddry before turning west on the coast road and finishing back at Musselburgh Racecourse. The 10k will set off from the racecourse two hours earlier at 9am.

Last year’s half marathon winner, Bryan Mackie from Edinburgh Athletic Club, will be back to defend his title for a second time.

Bryan, who raced to victory in 2015 in a time of 1 hour 11 minutes and 33 seconds, is hoping for another successful run this year.

He said: “I’m really excited to be heading back to run the Scottish Half Marathon again, it was such a massive buzz to retain my title last year, so hopefully I can make it three in a row.”

Full details of the route for both races on Sunday can be found at scottishhalfmarathon.com. Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place throughout the day.

ROAD CLOSURES: Roads closed between 10.50am and 11.10am include Meadowmill Sports Centre Access Road and all connecting access roads, B1361 from its junction with Access Road to Meadowmill Roundabout, B6371 Coal Plant Road at its junction with Meadowmill Roundabout.

Roads closed between 10.50am and 12pm are A198 east bound lane between Meadowmill Roundabout and its junction with Dean Road, Longniddry, Fishergate Road at its junction with A198, unnamed Road to Seton Mains.

Roads closed between 10am and 12.45pm are Dean Road from its junction with A198 to Kings Avenue, Kings Avenue, Kings Road, Links Road from its junction with Kings Road to Gosford Road, Gosford Road, Glassel Park Road at its junction with Dean Road, Canty Grove, Dean Court, Dean Park, Cotlands Avenue, Old Dean Road, Stevenson Way, King’s Park, King’s Grove/Court, Campbell Road at its junction with King’s Road, Longniddry Golf Club Access Road.

From 10am to 1pm Lyars Road will be closed between the B1348 Coast Road and its junction with B1377 at roundabout.

Roads closing from 6am on Sunday until 3pm are B1348 Coast Road between entrance to Seton Sands Holiday Park and Lyars Road, A198 Coast Road from Lyars Road to main entrance to Gosford House. Links Road (B1348) eastbound between Seton Place and Seton Sands holiday park entrance, Cockenzie High Street, Wemyss Place, Viewforth, Seton Place, Park Road at its junction with Links Road (westbound exit allowed-leaving Port Seton via East Lorimer Place), Fishers Road at its junction with Links Road (westbound exit allowed-leaving Port Seton via East Lorimer Place), Barga Court, Marshall Street, South Doors, School Lane, New Street, Hares Close, Gardiner’s Close, Kay Gardens, Manse Lane, Entrance west of Cope Lane, Cope Lane, The Promenade, Barracks Street, Links Court at its junction with Links Road (westbound exit allowed-leaving Port Seton via East Lorimer Place), Castle Terrace at its junction with Links Road (westbound exit allowed-leaving Port Seton via East Lorimer Place), Long Craigs at its junction with Links Road (westbound exit allowed-leaving Port Seton via East Lorimer Place), Dean Road from its junction with Coast Road to its junction with King’s Avenue, Access west of Lyars Road, Access to Gosford Saw Mill.

The following roads also close at 6am opening at 3.30pm: Prestonpans High Street, B1348 from the High Street to Edinburgh Road and on to East Lorimer Place. Prestongrange Road at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Inchview North, The Pottery, Redburn Road North at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Cookies Wynd, Ormiston Place, West Seaside, East Seaside, New Street Prestonpans at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Ayres Wynd at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Harlaw Hill, Pypers Wynd, Robertson Avenue at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Fowlers Court, Salt Preston Place, Sir Walter Scott Pend, Road to boat enclosure, Nethershot Road (Appin Drive) at its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Whin Park Industrial Estate, West Lorimer Place at its junction with Edinburgh Road, West Harbour Road, unnamed Road west of Hawthorn Terrace at its junction with Edinburgh Road.

Also closing at 6am and staying closed until 4pm are B1348 from its junction with Ravensheugh Road to its junction with Prestonpans High Street, Linkfield Road Eastbound lane between Beulah and Ravensheugh Road, Ravensheugh Road, Hope Place, Mayville Bank, Ravensheugh Crescent, Entrance to Drummohr at its junction with Ravensheugh Road, Manager’s Brae at its junction with the B1348.