Top African and European stars in battle for Bupa Great Edinburgh Run title

14 APR2010

The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run promises to produce a great battle between top African and European stars Edwin Soi and Sergey Lebid next month. The world class Kenyan and Ukrainian athletes go head-to-head around a newly created and very fast 10 kilometres course centred around Holyrood Park.

Lebid in particular is looking forward to returning to Edinburgh where in 2003 he secured the fourth of his record breaking eight European Cross Country victories.

"I remember it well because there was a really big crowd which created a big atmosphere throughout out the race," said Lebid also a former World Cross silver medallist.

Now he will be looking for a repeat of that form when facing Soi who since winning the Olympic 5000m bronze medal has added to his reputation after that brilliant if surprise placing in Beijing two years ago.

"You have to look at them as being the main contenders for victory but I'm still building up the field," said Peter Riley the elite athletes manager for the race taking place on May 2. Riley confirming the inclusion of Irish Number One Martin Fagan and Vincent Yator of Kenya , added: "I hope to announce additions later in the week when I'll also confirm what I believe will be a highly competitive women's field."

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: "EventScotland has supported the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run since 2005 and over the years we have seen some fantastic athletes take part, with this year set to be no different."

"The event attracts thousands of runners to Edinburgh each year and there is no better advertisement for the Great Edinburgh Run or indeed for Edinburgh than the city's historic landmarks and spectacular landscape which will be broadcast live on Channel 5."

The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run, taking place on Sunday 2nd May will see thousand of runners of all abilities join the worlds best athletes for one of the world's most scenic 10km routes.

The 10km course which is live on channel five from 10am takes runners past some of Edinburgh's most loved landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, over the famous cobbles of the Royal Mile the Scot Monument, past the Scottish Parliament Building and includes running across the Forecourt of the historic Holyrood Palace just a few hundred yards from the finish line.

The day also includes the Bupa Junior and Mini Great Edinburgh Run taking place on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd May, entries for both the senior and junior event are still open, wih entries available on the Great Run website.