Elated runners have laced up their shoes to take part in a 5k running event during a sunny day in Ipswich.

The Ipswich Twilight 5k started at 3:30pm today at Ipswich Waterfront. 

An elite 5k race will get underway at 6:00pm and some of the world's very best runners are expected to attempt the race in a bid to break records.

Ipswich Star: James Cornish, 46, who is part of the Kesgrave Kruisers running club, said: "This is one of our favourite events of the year. We absolutely love it.

"The loop round the marina means you can see all of the runners coming past. On a day like this there's nothing better. It's an amazing day out!"

The Twilight race series, which was started in 2015, was founded by Jaffa Running Club and was the brainchild of Carl Ashton. 

The race gets its name from the 10k event which happens at the end of July during twilight. 

Ipswich Star:

In previous years, elite athletes have smashed British records, including Belgrave Harriers athlete Nick Goolab who broke the British 5km road race record with a time of 13 minutes 50 seconds.

Last year, the event was cancelled due to staffing and logistical issues but the event has bounced back and continues to attract thousands of people.

The course is a loop around the waterfront, starting by St Peter Dock Car Park, passing the university buildings and crossing the Island to the finish line. 

It is one of the few times The Island in Ipswich Marina is open to runners.

Ipswich Star:

Founder of the Twilight races, Carl Ashton, has said: "I had heard that the club previously wanted a town centre race, a 10k. I wanted to put on an event that gave us that but also tried to build some national profile for us.

"There are lots of 10k events around but very few good quality road 5k events. I thought:  ‘Well, why don’t we do both.’ To attract the elites costs money so a business model was created where the 10k effectively funds the 5k.”