Runners from the Royal Navy and Royal Ma­rines will be making themselves at home at Britannia Royal Naval College ahead of a cross-Atlantic tussle.

The athletes are due to go up against their counterparts from the United States Marine Corp (USMC) during the Torbay half-mara­thon on Sunday.

The two teams will be racing to win the 'War­riors across the Sea Challenge Cup'.

This will be the third consecutive year that the USMC have travelled to Devon to take part in the event. The USMC team have won the cup on the two previous occasions and are keen to make it a hat-trick of victories.

But buoyant after a number of personal bests achieved in the London marathon, the Royal Navy team is determined to win this year.

'Our team performed outstandingly in Lon­don so I'm hoping the success continues. We are overdue a home victory against the USMC.

'I'm confident this year we will be victorious' said team manager Warrant Officer Andy Marshall.

The Royal Navy team is predominantly made up of West­country based Royal Navy and Royal Ma­rines personnel, while the USMC team will be flying in from all parts of the US.

The race is always keenly contested, but post race, both teams will enjoy good banter and local hospitality.

'The crowds are always very supportive of both teams" said Lieutenant Colonel Joe Galvin, the team manager for the USMC team, 'It's a long trip over but the welcome we receive always make it worthwhile'.

The USMC will be bringing a team of four male runners and three females, the majority of whom have competed previously in the event.

Upon arrival in Britain the team will be having a day sight seeing in London before enjoying two days of Westcountry hospitality prior to the race.