HUNDREDS of athletes are gearing up for a challenging road race in Salisbury.

The 21st 5-4-3-2-1 is back with scores of routes on offer for competitors from 50k to 5k.

Runners and walkers start the course, which takes its name from the city’s five rivers, four hills, three large country estates, two castles and one cathedral, on Sunday from Ashley Green (8am).

And this year, international entries have been received from the likes of South Korea, Alaska, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong and a handful of European countries.

Participants on the Marathon Trails will visit Old Sarum, Laverstock Down, Clarendon and Longford Estates, Great Yews, Salisbury Race Course, Wilton - before returning via Quidhampton and Harnham and the Cathedral Close.

More than 100 volunteers have signed up to help marshal and administer the various races at more than a dozen check point locations around Salisbury and Wilton. But organisers are still looking for more to assist in various locations, water stations and road crossings.

They are also looking for more masseurs for the post event massage and mountain bikers to follow the runners.

Anyone interested can get in touch with race director Ludo Macaulay on ludomacaulay@hotmail.com or ring 01722 332211.

Charities supported are the Fire Fighters’ Charity and Salisbury’s own Trussell Trust. For details, visit salisbury54321.com