Craig Mottram will have a massive test when defending his 3000 metres title at the BUPA Great North road races on September 29.

The 27-year-old Australian faces one of the world's greatest-ever middle distance runners Bernard Lagat in a contest which could see another world best performance over the distance.

Lagat won the 2004 Olympic 1500m silver medal and then switching allegiance from Kenya to the United States, scored a unique double over that distance and 5000m at this year's USA National Championships.

Mottram last year hotly pursued by Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, roared to a time of seven minutes 41.7seconds, cheered on by thousands of spectators at the Quayside venue.

He and Kipchoge who was beaten by just over a second, both broke the previous record of 7min 49sec, set 16-years earlier by Morocco's former Olympic 10000m gold medallist Brahim Boutayeb.

Now Mottram will be hoping Lagat provides testing opposition and there could be some extra spice added to their confrontation before they reach Tyneside.

"They're both expected to go head-to-head over 5000m at the World Championships in Osaka beginning at the end of the month," said Matthew Turnbull, the meeting's elite athletes director.

"It was really hard running on my own and it hurt, but I always thought I could do it," recalled Mottram, whose success came a fortnight after retaining his IAAF World Cup 3000m title.

Mottram added: "It is a difficult course but I proved nothing is impossible and I'm sure this year's race will be just as tough."

Turnbull is also aiming to produce a top class field in the women's race which can challenge the world best of 8min 46.9sec set by Meseret Defar last year.

The reigning Olympic 5000m champion and world record holder ran solo, breaking the previous five-year-old figure of 8min 53sec, belonging to Germany's Luminita Zaituc.

"I'm working hard on both races and will be hoping to make some major signings shortly," said Turnbull, who will attend the World Championships beginning on August 25.

The BUPA Great North road races which also feature international men and women's mile competitions, take place a day before the BUPA Great North Run the world's biggest half marathon.