Around 750 runners from across the country are preparing for the one of the world's most gruelling mile-long race as Red Bull Quicksand returns to Margate.

Competitors are taking on massive rollers, plunging trenches and towering sandcastles 23ft high on the course which organisers say will be tougher than ever.

The first race on Margate's Main Sands kicks off at 9.30am on Saturday and racers are getting ready for the energy-sapping event.

Scroll down to hear what it's like to run the world's toughest mile

More than 600 people are registered to take part in the competition which features heats, semi-finals and finals, which are due to start at around 3pm.

They will use 1.6 times more energy running on sand than on a road surface tackling endurance, speed and their determination with the winners last year finishing the half-mile loop course in a little over seven minutes.

The beach will be transformed by the course which uses 10,000 tonnes of sand to create the brutal peaks and troughs.

New obstacles are being created for this year's edition including a "loose sand tabletop" feature.

A spokesman for Red Bull Quicksand said: "The brutal, one-mile beach race sees runners battling through sand and a treacherous series of obstacles to make it to the finish.

"Last year, the course presented runners with trenches, rollers and whopping sandcastles, with the tallest climb a staggering 23ft tall – almost the height of two double-decker buses.

"This 2019 edition promises even bigger, tougher obstacles, including a new loose sand tabletop obstacle, set to challenge runners even further.

"The knockout format will also be more competitive. Like last year, the top finishers in each heat will take on the gruelling course all over again in the semi-finals and, if successful, the finals."

The field is open to 750 competitors - more than in 2018 - with people already booked in coming from Southampton and Leeds.

Entries cost £30 and applications are open at redbull.co.uk/quicksand including entry, finishers medal and T-shirt.

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