NEWCASTLE-BORN Justina Heslop will hope to see off a strong African challenge as she bids for a hat-trick of Blaydon Race victories.

Two-times winner Heslop leads the local field in tonight’s 5.9 mile race along the traditional course while in-form local teacher Ian Hudspith provides North East interest in the men’s version, which is also hotly contested with several Kenyan newcomers taking to the Newcastle streets for the popular race.

African runners Edwin Kiptoo and Edwin Kimutai are likely to give Hudspith a run for his money in the 31st edition of the Blaydon event. Race organiser Bob Houston believes this could be one of the strongest fields ever assembled.

“The event continues to go from strength to strength and I believe this is one of the toughest races we’ve ever had,” he said. “It is not just at the front of the field though. It will not be a situation where the winner comes in and then five minutes later there is the rest of the field – I think it is as strong as we have ever assembled.”

Heslop’s back-to-back victories brought back some local pride after a succession of African winners.

She is well-fancied to scoop another Blaydon title this year, having finished just three seconds behind Paula Radcliffe in the London 10k a fortnight ago. Alyson Dixon, of Chester-le-street, and Freya Murray provide competition for her. In the men’s field Hudspith looks in good nick and shows little sign of slowing down despite turning 41 this year.

He finished third last year and ran a very impressive 29mins 42 seconds in Manchester in May – a time that would surely be good enough to win him this race.