Pavey is backing Great 10k

Mar 18 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

FORMER British champion Jo Pavey has backed the revamped Great North 10k to put Sunderland on the international athletics map – although her pregnancy rules her out of the inaugural elite event in July.

Pavey lent her high-profile support to the official launch of the run, opened up to male competitors and rebranded as part of the Great Run series after four years as a women-only competition.

Organisers are anticipating a “world-class” field to compete alongside the masses, and believe many of the favourites for the Great North Run will see the coastline course as the perfect preparation for that race.

But Pavey, a three-times British champion over 5000metres and one of the country’s most consistent performers on the international stage, will not be in the elite field.

After receiving a ringing endorsement of the event from Great Britain team-mate Liz Yelling, Pavey was looking to the event as a one of her build-up events to this summer’s World Championships.

The 35-year-old, who is “delighted” at the prospect of becoming a mother, has scrapped those summer plans in order to start a family with husband Gavin. She is due to give birth in September.

But despite the demands of mother-hood Pavey intends to return to competition and challenge for a place in the London 2012 squad – and is excited by the prospect of a tilt at the Great North 10k.

“The Great North 10k was definitely in my plans and I still hope to get round in some way, but being three months pregnant means I won’t really be fit enough to compete in July,” she said.

“I’ll do a little bit of training and I hope to be in Sunderland and run because the course looks absolutely fantastic. I’ve heard a lot about the race, it’s always a good field and I’ve wanted to compete here for a while.

“My team-mate Liz (Yelling) recommended it to me, and after running in it for the last three years she was waxing lyrical about what a great course it is. But ironically she’s pregnant as well so she can’t run – maybe it’s something about this race!

“The North East is a centre for distance running. I enjoyed the Great North Run so much, athletes from all over the world want to come here because of the atmosphere, the courses and they’re always so competitive. Athletes do talk about the North East.”

Although still training, Pavey has already begun to wind down the intensity of her sessions. It is not the end of her athletics career, however, and Pavey will use Paula Radcliffe as an inspiration upon her return.

“I’m keen to make a comeback, though, especially with the London 2012 Olympics offering a chance to compete in your own country. That is such a goal for all of us athletes.

“I know I’m getting on a little bit, but I believe I can still be competitive.

“My times on the track last year, before I was pregnant, were some of the best I’ve ever run. That’s definitely my long-term goal.”

Event director Max Coelby believes the event will become an integral part of the international running calendar.

“I’ve no doubt that over the next few years it will develop into one of the best 10k events in the world,” he said.

“The field will be excellent, I believe. We’ve never failed to get some of the best athletes in the world for the women’s run and it will be great for Sunderland.”