A GROUP of Southampton sports scientists have given their top tips ahead of this year’s ABP Marathon.

Runners will race around the streets of Southampton on April 22 to take on 26.2 mile course, which incorporates city landmarks such as the Bargate, Itchen Bridge and Riverside Park.

Ahead of the event, marathon organisers have teamed up with Southampton Solent University to create a short film, offering free advice to runners.

The video contains tips on fitness, training and nutrition.

Filmed in front of a 100-strong audience of runners, it features to tips from the likes of Dr James Steele, a senior lecturer in applied sports science, Martin Skivington, who heads the university’s school of sport, health and social science and Dr Ali Hill, a course leader in applied human nutrition.

Nikki Rees, from the ABP Southampton Marathon, said: “The university has been so heavily involved in since the event’s inception and we’re so grateful to its experts for lending their time and knowledge.

“Runners said they found the tips very useful, especially the news that it’s ok to eat jelly babies during the race.”

Southampton Solent University is the official education partner of the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k.

Scores of staff, students and alumni are expected to run in the event on April 22 and the University’s Sir James Matthews building will once again act as race HQ.

As official education partner, the University will also have a team of ABP Southampton ‘MileMakers’ out lining the streets and cheering the runners on.

The team will be based near to the University, sharing words of encouragement to help the weary participants reach the finish line.

Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University, says: “The ABP Southampton Marathon brings the whole city together and we are proud to be a part of it.

“Sharing expertise from across Solent with the local community is important to us and our annual Meet the Expert event allows us to do just that.”

Alongside the marathon, the event will feature a 10k, half marathon and children’s mile fun run.

All races start and finish in the heart of Southampton’s city centre, with the Guildhall in the city centre marking the finish line.

Last year 10,000 runners signed up and people have until March 15 to get their entries in for this year’s event.