Athletics: Andrew Lemoncello targets 23-year-old record
The Fifer, who is gearing up for the world championships in China next month, believes he is in ideal shape after a summer at his altitude base in Arizona and a fortnight training on the sand dunes of St Andrews. "The key is going to be latching on to a tight group so that I'm being pushed rather than ending up running on my own," he said. "It's a race I've wanted to do for years but it's never seemed to fit in my schedule. "
Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie heads the men's field in his first Great North Run appearance, fulfilling a pledge to return after pulling out in 2000 following his victory at the Sydney Olympics. GB international Mara Yamauchi goes head-to-head with Olympic champion Constantina Dita in her bid to become the first home winner since Paula Radcliffe in 2003.