Luke Kibet on his way to victory at the 2007 Great South Run (© Mark Shearman)
Sunderland, UKReigning World marathon champion Luke Kibet will head the overseas challenge for victory at the inaugural Bupa Great North 10km in Sunderland on the morning of Sunday 12 July.
The 26-year-old Kenyan is looking forward to competing at another venue in the prestigious Great Run series after several appearances elsewhere in the country, including winning the Bupa Great South Run two years ago.
Kibet, after injury forced him out of this year's Flora London Marathon, is getting back to the form which saw him the surprise winner of the World title in Osaka almost two years ago.
There, in horrendous conditions with the temperature rising to 33 degrees by the finish and a humidity of 81%, he claimed the gold medal 400 metres ahead of runner-up Mubarek Hassan Shami of Qatar.
"I love competing at Great Run meetings particularly the 10 kilometre races which offer me the opportunity to improve my speed in preparations for the marathon," said Kibet, looking forward to his appearance.
Whoever wins will be the first male champion at what was formerly the Bupa Great Women's Run, after the event was opened also to male entrants due to popular demand.
The revised course from the Bupa Great Women's Run will see it start and finish in the area surrounding the Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland Football Club.
Nicola Hedley (organisers) for the IAAF
