Holyrood Park will host runners from 64 countries in the race tomorrow, one of the biggest international events to be held in Britain during the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

Around 20,000 people are expected to line the route or watch the proceedings on the big screen, with a further 25 million watching on television throughout the world.

The last time the competition came to Scotland was at Glasgow's Bellahouston Park in 1978, and the city Council believes the event will pump up to £2 million into the local economy.

Deputy Council leader Steve Cardownie said: "With top athletes from all over the world and thousands of spectators descending on Holyrood Park, Edinburgh is in for an exciting weekend of top-notch sport.

"We have a formidable record of hosting major world sporting events and the presence of the World Cross Country and other recently confirmed events demonstrate very clearly that our city is one of the most sought-after venues in the world."

The award-winning Scottish Power Pipe Band will rally the runners before the race, with a lone piper playing as it starts.

Live music on the course will also be provided by the Edinburgh Samba School, She Boom, and the Pink Piper amongst others.

The Holyrood course – which hosted 2003 European Cross Country Championships and stages the Edinburgh International Cross Country races every January – is designed to take advantage of the park's uneven terrain and the runners to their limit.

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012 and a member of the ruling International Association of Athletics Federations, is among the dignatiries will present medals to the winners.

 

Paul Bush, the chief executive of Event Scotland, said that his organisation plan to use major sports competitions to help raise the profile of Scotland internationally, culminating ultimately in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

 

Bush said: "It's a fantastic opportunity.

 

"It will be one of the most picturesque locations you will see for cross country.

 

"It is the chance to demonstrate Edinburgh is one of the great iconic cities."