Deeside runner Robbie Simpson is heading to London this weekend in search of a fast time in the Vitality Big Half Marathon.
The marathon bronze medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games has recovered from the bug which left him feeling below par in the Kinloss to Lossiemouth race earlier in the month.
Simpson’s aim is to improve on his best time of 1:04:27 – set at Inverness in 2018 – and give himself a boost ahead of April’s London marathon and Tokyo Olympic trial.
The race will double up as the main Great Britain selection event for the world half marathon championships to be held at Gdynia, Poland, on March 29.
It has attracted a top-quality field despite the withdrawal of Sir Mo Farah who has won the event for the past two years.
The first three Brits will be selected automatically for Poland with two others to be added. Simpson said: “I think I’d need to run a big PB to be considered as there are guys taking part who have been running in the 61-63min range.
“I’ve not really considered the world champs, as the London marathon in April is my priority, but I guess if was given the chance it would be hard to turn down.”
Meanwhile, Kenny Wilson, who out-sprinted Simpson to win the Lossiemouth race, is to compete in Sunday’s North District 10km championship road race at Nairn.
The Moray Road Runners club member, who last won this race in 2016, faces a strong challenge from Scottish inter-district cross-country champion Sean Chalmers (Inverness Harriers).
Jenny Bannerman (Inverness Harriers) is favourite to add to the six wins she as achieved in the women’s division of the Nairn race over the past eight years.
Nicola Gauld (Metro Aberdeen), the 2013 and 2017 winner, is also in the field.
