Two-times winner Sean Trott is among the top athletes who are entered in the Friends of Hospice/Hannover Re half-marathon on Sunday.

Trott was the champion in 2010 and 2012, and has been posting impressive performances in shorter races and cross country events during the past few weeks.

Another leading name in the race is Spencer Butterfield, who was runner-up in the Bacardi 8K on Sunday. Butterfield’s brother, Olympic triathlete Tyler, won the half-marathon in 2013.

Among the women challengers are Andrea Luber, Sarah Thompson and Tamika Miranda.

The half-marathon is Bermuda’s second-oldest continuously held road race, and is returning for its 48th year.

First held in March 1972, the race was originally known as the BTFA half-marathon. It has been held on a variety of courses in different parts of the island, but for the past nine years has started and finished on South Road, near the Botanical Gardens.

Sunday’s half-marathon is part of what is now known as the Friends of Hospice/Hannover Re Walk and Run event. Runners can compete in a 5K, 10K, or the half-marathon, while walkers can do the two shorter distances.

Hannover Re is sponsoring the event for a twelfth year.

Dennis Mbelenzi won last year’s half-marathon in 1hr 18min 12sec, while Rose-Anna Hoey claimed her third woman’s title in 1:29:07.

Christopher Harris and Deon Breary were the men’s and women’s winners, respectively, in the 10K race last year.

Konrad Rentrup, chief executive officer of Hannover Re (Bermuda) Ltd, said the event is a great opportunity for athletes to prepare for the Royal Gazette Bermuda Triangle Challenge in January, which features mile, 10K, half-marathon and marathon races. Dirk Hasselkuss, chief underwriting officer of Hannover Re, said: “We sees this event as a great opportunity to give back to the community and to support two fantastic charities, being Friends of Hospice and the BNAA, the Bermuda National Athletics organisation”.

He added: “With the walking and running distances on offer we hope to foster a healthy lifestyle for all residents and visitors of Bermuda alike.

“Our highly committed staff will participate actively in either the run or walk or by volunteering on the day.”

Jennifer Mahoney, executive director of Friends of Hospice, said: “This is a great opportunity for members of the community to come out and spend some quality time with one another while taking in the fresh air and getting some exercise.

“Despite some rather extreme weather last year, volunteers and participants braved the elements in an effort to show support for two great charities, and for that we are extremely thankful.”

The event starts and ends at the Tucker Property on South Shore. Walkers and the half-marathon runners will start at 7.30am, while the 5k and 10k runners will start at 8.00am.

Entries can be made online at racedayworld.com, and will also be taken on race day from 7am, with an additional surcharge.