Sonia ready for Great North Run

Sonia O’Sullivan starts her quest for a second BUPA Great North Run victory tomorrow insisting: “I’ve never felt fitter.”

The Irish athlete won the Tyneside event four years ago in breathtaking fashion, finishing over a minute clear of runner-up Manuela Machado.

Now O’Sullivan is in the middle of a transitional period as she plots a marathon career, with the New York race her first hurdle.

“I suppose the Great North Run is my next step in my plans for the marathon,” said O’Sullivan.

“I’ve got some hard training under my belt and I’ve never felt fitter, although I’ve eased down this week.

“I know the ups-and-downs of the course. Last time I never really prepared as I have done on this occasion. I’ve never ran under 70 minutes for a half marathon.

“But anything is possible. The competition will be tough and there will be a lot more people to worry about rather than just looking at the clock and the time. At some stage I’m sure someone will take off and the race will be on.”

Organisers hope the winner will break the course record of 67 minutes seven seconds set by Paula Radcliffe in 2000. Absent as she fine tunes for next Sunday’s Chicago Marathon, the task of leading the British challenge will fall on the British number one’s training partner Liz Yelling.

The men’s race also pits an array of world-class performers against domestic athletes.

And organiser Peter Elliott, who has attracted world half marathon champion Paul Kosgei, former European marathon champion Stefano Baldini and three-time London winner Antonio Pinto to Tyneside, is hoping for something special.

“I’m hoping the one-hour barrier will be broken for the first time in this country,” said the former Olympic 1500m silver medallist.