Irish interest in this afternoon's Great North CrossCountry Run in Consett, Co Durham, in England, will focus on the men's short course (4km) race, where defending champion Gareth Turnbull, James Nolan and Niall Bruton are among the starters. Turnbull was a member of the Irish team that won bronze in the European Championships in Sweden earlier in the month and he will be expecting to figure strongly.

Nolan is returning to competition after a post-Sydney break, while Bruton is attempting to comeback from a more extended lay-off. Britain's Jon Mayock, a previous winner, is also among the leading entries.

David Burke is Ireland's sole representative in the longer 9km race. Both Seamus Power and Peter Matthews have concentrated on training over the Christmas period, although they will return to competition at the Ras na hEireann in Dunleer next weekend.

The women's 6km race includes Olympic 10,000 metre and world cross country champion Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, although team-mate Gete Wami had to withdraw because of passport problems. Ireland's Anne Keenan-Buckley is hopeful she will be fit enough after her ankle injury to join Rosemary Ryan.

Paula Radcliffe has her first and only opportunity of the winter to dent the confidence of Tulu, who declared on the eve of the race that the English woman should move up to the marathon distance now.

Tulu said: "Radcliffe is a great runner and one who is admired by everyone. But you saw what happened in Sydney, she doesn't have any finishing speed."

However, after reviewing her future following the Olympics, where she finished fourth behind Tulu, Radcliffe has decided to continue her track career rather than move up to the longer distance.