Bekele top attraction as Byrne targets home victory

The world’s greatest distance runner, Kenenisa Bekele, will take centre stage at the Spar Great Ireland Run 10k in the Phoenix Park tomorrow as local hope Linda Byrne targets victory in the women’s race in what promises to be a spectacular festival of racing.

Byrne (Dundrum South Dublin) has been an integral member on the successful Irish women’s cross-country team and last week was the fulcrum of her club’s win at the National Road Relays.

“I was pretty tired after the world cross but I was very happy with my run and the team position,” said Byrne of the road relays last week. Her main challenger in the Phoenix Park will be England’s Gemma Steel, who won last year in 32:06.