Triathlete Nick Saunders has upped the ante by entering Sunday morning’s Jersey Spartan AC Aztec Half Marathon.

And he is expected to be joined by home runner James Cunningham, the man who took second place in last year’s event after winning a lung-busting tussle with Guernsey’s Tristian Robilliard.

All will, however, have their work cut out if reigning champion, Steve Dawes of Guernsey, makes it to the line to defend his title.

Following a slow uptake of entries, 275 have now registered for the 13.1 mile surge through the eastern parishes, and that figure could rise as entries are still being accepted at the new sponsors’ Aztec Group House, in Seaton Place, St Helier, from noon to 6 pm today.