Strava has partnered with the Simplyhealth Great North Run and runners from around the world can upload their runs to add to the total

The Sunday long run is a training keystone upon which so many athletes and runners rely, but it’s not often that logging your weekend miles can form part of a world record attempt.

That will be the case this weekend, however. Strava, the social network for athletes, has teamed up with the Simplyhealth Great North Run in a bid to set the world record for the most half-marathons run in a single day.

On Sunday (September 10), tens of thousands of people will take part in the world’s biggest half-marathon as it wends its way from the centre of Newcastle to South Shields.

You don’t need to have a race entry to take part in the record, however, and runners from all over the world are being encouraged to get involved in this challenge.

It doesn’t matter where you are or how quickly you can cover the distance, you just need to run 13.1 miles and then upload your run to Strava.

Over 50,000 people have already joined the challenge and, to take part, runners need to download the free Strava App, select the challenge and run 13.1 miles or more.

To find out more about The Great 13.1 Record, how to get involved and sign up for the challenge, visit: www.strava.com/challenges/the-great-13-1-Record

If the half-marathon distance doesn’t appeal, then another way to be involved in this landmark weekend of running comes in the form of Simplyhealth Great Run Day.

Pick how far you want to go, go at your own pace or just simply get moving and then log your activity at greatrun.org/greatrunday on September 9 and 10.

The Simplyhealth Great Run Day forms a key part of title partner Simplyhealth’s #millionsmoving campaign. Simplyhealth aims to inspire individuals, families and communities to simply move more. This is close to Simplyhealth’s belief that movement is the cornerstone to good health.

There is an added bonus in that, by logging your Simplyhealth Great Run Day activity, you will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win pro:direct vouchers to spend on sports kit. For more information and to sign up, visit: greatrun.org/greatrunday