Thousands of supporters are expected to line the streets this weekend, to cheer on the 13,000 runners of all ages and abilities who have signed up for the second Run Hackney half marathon.

The weekend of running kicks off on Saturday with a free 5k run around Hackney Marshes for 2,000 runners, many of whom are new to the sport, and culminates in the full 13-mile race on Sunday morning.

Starting at 9am from Hackney Marshes, runners will pass by Hackney Downs, the Hackney Empire in Mare Street, Broadway Market in London Fields, Victoria Park Road, and onto the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before crossing the finish line back in Hackney Marshes.

Elite runners are expected to finish just after 10am with the majority of runners completing the course between 10.45am to 11.45am.

Live music is planned along the route for a carnival-like atmosphere, and there will be music, refreshments and family entertainment in the Race Village on Hackney Marshes.

After the half marathon runners have all crossed the start line, around 1,000 local primary school children will complete the final 1.1 miles of the Schools’ Challenge, which has seen them all running a mile a week ahead of the event to clock up 12 miles before race day.

Anyone needing to travel on Sunday morning is urged to plan well in advance, as many of Hackney’s streets will be closed from 7am.

They will re-open once runners have completed each section and it is safe and feasible to do so, and most roads should be open by 2pm.

Jamie Warren, from GO2 which is organising the event urged the local community to come out and support the runners.

He said: “It makes a tremendous difference to people running seeing friendly faces and hearing encouragement.

“There will be plenty of local people running but we are also expecting thousands from further afield, including elite runners, to cheer.

“I appreciate there will be some disruption to accommodate the event and I would like to thank local residents, businesses and organisations for their co-operation and understanding.”