Liz Yelling and top European stars set for Bupa Great North 10k – Sunderland

Commonwealth bronze medallist Liz Yelling now fully fit and will compete at the Bupa Great North 10 kilometres road race in Sunderland on Sunday July 18.

Yelling is no stranger to the Wearside venue having been a regular competitor in the Bupa Great Women's Run which for three years provided the platform for the mixed event to be launched 12 months ago. The inaugural race saw South African Stephen Mokoka and British international Kate Reed clinch the top honours and this year there has already been great interest shown from overseas stars. "It is a bonus to get Liz Yelling to take part and having ran in Sunderland before, she was delighted to accept an invitation to compete," said Pete Riley, the elite athletes manager of the meeting. "Liz was a little disappointed at missing the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run at the beginning of the month with a minor injury niggle, so jumped at the chance to renew her association with the Bupa Great Run series of races. "She's the first big name I've recruited for the women's race and obviously there'll be more announced in the coming weeks, but the men's field is already shaping up extremely well." Riley added: Switzerland's Viktor Rothlin who was a surprise bronze medallist in the 2007 World Championships marathon, also happens to be a top class 10 kilometres road runner. "Guenther Weidlinger from Austria has an even more credible reputation at the distance having in 2008 won the Bupa Great Manchester Run and last year took the Great Australian Run title in Melbourne. "Luis Feiteira, a top Portugese athlete is also in the field while Dan Robinson the Commonwealth bronze medallist will carry British hopes." A slight course change will see it begin on Wearmouth Bridge providing a perfect backdrop for the channel five television coverage of the event which will finishes at the Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland's premier division soccer team. The elite field will be followed by thousands of runners of all abilities with around 5000 participants expected to take on the 10km course. The day also includes the Bupa Junior Great Sunderland Run making it a great day out for all the family. Entries for both the Bupa Great North 10k – Sunderland and the Bupa Junior Great Sunderland Run are still open at www.greatrun.org. Ends For more information Lynsey Stephenson Lynsey.stephenson@nova-international.com 0191 2263249 07595564266 Nova International The Bupa Great North 10k - Sunderland 2010 is brought to you by event organisers Nova International in partnership with Sunderland City Council. Nova International, headed by Olympic Medallist Brendan Foster is one of the UK’s leading event management and sports marketing agencies. The company’s current brand portfolio also includes some of the biggest running events in the world all based on the Bupa Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon with over 54,000 entries. Nova International was established in 1988 and has a strong sporting pedigree. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Nova have established themselves as a market leader in the world of sports marketing and event management. For more information please visit www.greatrun.org <http://www.greatrun.org/>. Bupa Bupa is a leading international healthcare company. Established in 1947, it has over ten million customers in more than 190 countries and employs over 52,000 people around the world. Its main interests are health insurance, care homes for young disabled and older people, workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching and healthcare services in the home. While Bupa’s largest and original business is in the UK, it has significant operations around the world including Sanitas in Spain, MBF, HBA, Mutual Community in Australia, IHI in Denmark and Health Dialog in the US. Bupa also has businesses in Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Latin America. In addition, Bupa Care Services owns care homes in Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Bupa has no shareholders. We reinvest our money to provide better healthcare for our customers, helping them to live longer, happier, healthier lives. Sunderland City Council Sunderland City Council and its partners are regenerating the city, building on its assets and developing Sunderland into a place that can offer a better future for residents, visitors, students and businesses. Sunderland combines a quality environment with a smart way of working. The city is building a new image that reflects its light and airy location by the sea and its green environment, as well as its success in embracing and adapting to new technologies. To find out more go to www.sunderland.gov.uk <http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/> Alzheimer’s Society Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland are calling for runners to support them in one of the 2010 Bupa Great Runs across the country. For further details visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun <http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun> or telephone 0870 417 0192. Runners in Scotland can visit www.alzscot.org <http://www.alzscot.org/> or telephone 0845 260 0789.