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Commonwealth 5000 metre silver medallist Jo Pavey will compete in this year's BUPA Great North Run on October 1, a career move likely to see her move up to the marathon distance.
Pavey last Sunday was beaten into fourth place over 5000 metres at the European Championships, but it was already known she was eager before that disappointment of pursuing a road running career.
The 32-year-old Exeter Harrier in the past because of almost constant injuries, has steered clear of major road running competitions, but has the potential to make the transition.
"We're looking forward to seeing how Jo fares at the Great North Run," said Matthew Turnbull, the elite athletes director for the half marathon race from Newcastle to the coastal resort of South Shields.
Turnbull added: "She's jumping in at the deep end although I'm sure she'll do herself justice, given her total commitment whenever competing at international level."
Past women's winners of the world's biggest half marathon in the last few years, include Paula Radcliffe, Derartu Tulu, Sonia O'Sullivan, Susan Chepkemi and Benita Johnson, all past and present world distance running champions.
Turnbull was recruiting at last week's European Championships and following the Zurich IAAF Golden League on Friday followed by Brussels a week later, is expected to announce the first significant composition of the GNR fields.
However in the men's race he has already recruited Olympic champion Italy's Stefano Baldini who regained his European marathon title in Gothenburg and current world title holder Jaouad Gharib of Morocco.
Past GNR title winners Paul Tergat and Hendrick Ramaala who he beat in a thrilling finish to last Novembers New York marathon, are also returning to the Tyneside venue.
This year will see the 26th staging of the world’s biggest half marathon with 50,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile course, which will once again be televised live 4 hour broadcast on BBC1.
Source GreatRun
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Time-to-Run
UK
