The Virgin Gorda Half Marathon will get underway at 6am at the ScotiaBank Parking Lot while the 6mile challenge will start at 6:30am. Photo: Dean 'The Sportsman' Greenaway/Facebook

Water, cooling and cheering stations will be set up along the beautiful yet tough Virgin Gorda Half Marathon course. Photo: Dean 'The Sportsman' Greenaway/Facebook

According to race coordinator, Casey McNutt, 70 of the athletes signed up are for the Half Marathon and 39 for the Six Mile challenge.

Athletes registered include from the USA, United Kingdom, Saba and US Virgin Islands.

The Virgin Gorda Half Marathon is regarded as one of the toughest road races in the VI and possibly in the Greater Virgin Islands. 13.1 miles of undulating roadway follow the beautiful contours of the island of Virgin Gorda.

For the 5th year the course will take runners on a tour of Virgin Gorda’s best sights - the beaches of the western side, Gorda Peak’s curvy base, historic Spanish Town and Coppermine Ruins, The Baths, and ending at Mermaid’s Dockside Restaurant Dock.

“Along the route, enjoy amazing scenery and water/sports drink stops all along the way. At mile 10 there’s even an iced towel station that cools you off after you finish the Coppermine leg! Each of our stops is sponsored by local groups who receive a donation from your entry fee to their cause. Not only are you doing your own body good, but supporting community groups as well! 100% of the proceeds from our sponsors and participants go directly into the community,” according to a statement on the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon Facebook page.

There will be no cash prizes for athletes this year, as according to the organisors, the cash prizes are for the stations. “We're doing gift bags for the winners with some fun swag. We were using cash prizes but that money is really needed by the community groups,” McNutt told Virgin Islands News Online.

Meanwhile, the title sponsor this year is Proudly African, through its Ceres Juices and Niagara water brands, while Dive BVI is the support sponsor.

“I'm really excited to see everyone. We have so many new faces this year. It's our 5th anniversary and I'm grateful to all participants who come over to play but I'm more proud of the water station groups who really make this event work smoothly over such a challenging course,” McNutt stated.

The Virgin Gorda Half Marathon will get underway at 6am at the ScotiaBank Parking Lot while the 6mile challenge will start at 6:30am.