Jo Pavey wins in Manchester in 2007 (© Andy Brooks)
After a four year absence, former champion Jo Pavey will be chasing another victory on her return to the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth, England on Friday 24 October.
Pavey, who celebrated her 37th birthday on Monday, is already preparing for the challenge of lifting the title again. This year will be the milestone 21st staging of the world’s premier 10 mile road race, which has attracted a record entry of 23,000 runners.
The highly experienced British international is now well on the way back to full fitness after a toe injury excluded her from the recent European Track Championships.
Forced to withdraw from attempting a 5000/10,000 metres double in Barcelona, Pavey resumed competitive racing at the beginning of September, when she finished seventh against world class opposition at the Women's 5K Challenge in London.
“I would have liked to run faster," she said, "but it’s always difficult in your first race back from injury and I’m just glad to be racing again.
"I'm looking forward to Portsmouth, where I scored a very satisfying victory in 2006. It is a fast, flat course which really suits my style of running."
The BUPA Great South Run is one of only 23 global road races holding an IAAF Gold Label rating - the highest accolade any road running meeting can be awarded.
Nicola Hedley (organisers) for the IAAF
