EDINBURGH Southern Harriers' best ever field for their annual City of
Edinburgh road races was just under 500, but tomorrow 3200 -- more than
a quarter of them women -- will go to the start in Holyrood Park at 10am
for the inaugural Great Caledonian Run.
The 10,000 metres race has been revitalised with a transfusion from
BUPA, the private health-care company, who are backing a series of such
events throughout the UK.
However, the capital's council seem not to perceive the event as
politically correct, otherwise competitors would surely have been
allowed to use Meadowbank stadium for changing, rather than peel off in
a public park.
London marathon winner Eamonn Martin is using this as his second
comeback run after the foot-arch injury which forced him off the track
at the Europa Cup during the summer.
''I am in good shape, training wise, but I am short of races,'' said
Martin last night. ''I've had a very frustrating summer, but I am back
on course, and this will have no impact on my ambitions for next year.''
Martin, who plans a spring marathon, has a meeting with London
director David Bedford next week to thrash out a deal. He says he will
not be chasing anything like the #500,000 three-year contract understood
to be enjoyed by Liz McColgan. ''I will not be pinpointing that,'' he
confided. ''London is certainly favourite, but I'd also like to do the
10,000 metres at the European championships, and possibly the 5000m at
the Commonwealths.''
Paul Davies-Hale will renew rivalry with Kenya's Joseph Kibor, whom he
beat in a sprint to the line over the same distance last weekend in
Birmingham.
But there is strong opposition, including Ethiopian Tadesse Kaese, the
world junior half-marathon champion, Gary Staines, the reigning European
5000m silver medallist, and Steve Brace, who beat Davies-Hale in last
year's Olympic marathon.
The host club's former London marathon winner, Allister Hutton, is
suffering from a cold and has withdrawn, and leading Scots John Robson,
Tommy Murray, Alastair Walker, and Gary Grindlay will be up against it
in the chase for the #500 first prize.
The women's race favourite is the Russian, Lyudmila Borisova, fourth
in the 3000m at the grand-prix final in London last month. Scottish
opposition is headed by Lynn McIntyre, the national 3000m champion, Sue
Ridley, and Carol Sharp.
The route includes the Grassmarket and Princes Street, and the event
also includes a 7500m wheelchair race. Martin and Steve Cram are
available to all athletes for questioning at a free clinic tonight in
the Scandic Crown Hotel (6pm).
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