The presence of Catherina McKiernan in tomorrow's Ras na hEireann meeting at Dunleer, Co Louth, should make it one of the more significant occasions in the Irish cross country season.

Thanks to her decision to devote the coming months to preparing for the London marathon, it is likely to be her only cross country race in Ireland this season.

McKiernan will be attempting to extend an impressive winning sequence, stretching back to the Dublin mini marathon last June.

Among those scheduled to line up with her is the formidable Kenyan, Lucia Subano, a winner of the Great North Run who, after finishing fourth in Belfast last Saturday, now ranks 13th in the world.

Nora Rocha, of Mexico, just five places below her in the ratings, is also scheduled to run tomorrow, and the line up will include two Italians, Sylvia Sommaggio and Sabrina Varrouel.