Pavey tunes up for Games assault

Jo Pavey will compete in the ‘Visit Scotland’ Great Edinburgh Cross-Country event on January 14.

Pavey finished third in the Boclassic Silvester Lauf five-kilometre road race in Bolzano on New Year’s Eve behind Isabella Ochichi and Aniko Kalovics.

Now the 5000metres star is thirsting for another testing race before starting her Commonwealth Games preparations.

That will see the 32-year-old Exeter Harrier again face Ochichi, the Olympic 5000m silver medallist, and Hungary’s Kalovics at the UK’s top cross-country race in Holyrood Park.

“I enjoyed my comeback although it was terribly cold,” said Pavey, who raced for the first time since illness ruined her World Championship 5000m ambitions last August.

“Apart from the cold weather the race was very nice,” added Pavey, who was glad to be back in action following the disappointment of Helsinki where she finished last.

“I could not run for 10 weeks after getting a virus in the summer, which dashed my chances at the World Championships,” said Pavey.

Her recovery was clearly evident with a fine display in the Italian race.

“I trained for five weeks in Potchefstroom where I will return to prepare for the Commonwealth Games,” said Pavey who will run 5000m for Team England.

But first the former European cross-country bronze medallist is gearing up to again face Ochichi, who pushed her into fifth position when they clashed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

“I enjoyed cross-country last year although I don’t really like running in the mud,” she said.

After the Edinburgh meeting, Pavey plans returning to Potchefstroom – the same regular training base used by the now retired Kelly Holmes – to continue preparations for Australia.