03 October 2008

Team GB Beijing competitors Jo Pavey, Dan Robinson, Lisa Dobriskey, Mo Farah, Helen Clitheroe, Shelly Woods, Mickey Bushell, Brian Alldis, Jeanette Kwakye and Christian Malcolm will be looking to complete their summer seasons on a high note at this weekend’s Great North Run event on Tyneside.

Pavey and Robinson will take part in Sunday’s main event, the half marathon, which is now into its 28 th year. In the women’s race, Pavey will be returning to scene of her debut at the distance, which she made two years ago when finishing fourth in 70:42.

She has since improved her best by two seconds in Lisbon earlier this year and will be looking to go sub-70 this weekend on the fast Newcastle-South Shields course. Her main opposition will most likely come from experienced Kenyans Geta Wami and Deratu Tulu. Also in the field is GB & NI international Hayley Haining, who will be using the race as part of her build-up to next month’s New York Marathon.

In the men’s contest, Dan Robinson is the leading home hope. After another creditable major championship appearance in Beijing, where he was 24th in the marathon, he will be looking to target his PB of 63:42 in what will be his first race over the 13.1 miles distance this year. The leading contenders in the men’s race are former London Marathon winner Felix Limo and world champion Luke Kibet (both Kenya).

In the wheelchair races, T53 100m silver medallist Mickey Bushell will be hoping to prove his versatility in the men’s event. His finishing speed could be crucial. He will be joined by fellow Team GB athlete Brian Alldis. In the women’s race, Shelly Woods will be hoping to defend her title to cap a fine year which saw her win 1500m silver and 5000m bronze in Beijing.

The previous day a series of exciting events are promised in the sprints, mile and two mile races. Olympic fourth-placer Lisa Dobriskey is the defending champion in the women’s mile and will be hopeful of getting one over Olympic champion Nancy Lagat (Kenya). In the men’s mile, Mo Farah is the leading contender, whilst in the women’s 2 mile race, Helen Clitheroe will lead the British challenge.

In the Great North sprint races, Jeanette Kwakye faces USA’s Lauryn Williams, whilst in the men’s race, Olympic 200m finallist Christian Malcolm goes for Great Britain.