Athletics: McColgan to take on world-class field in Belfast

Liz McColgan will race over five kilometres at this weekend's Belfast international cross-country meeting. The 39-year-old former world 10,000 metres champion, who twice won at the Ulster venue early in her outstanding career, will face some world-class opposition.

Last year's world cross-country long-course bronze medallist, Merima Denboba, is in the field. Joining the Ethiopian will be Elvan Abeylegesse, who was born in that country but now runs in the colours of Turkey.

Saturday's field also includes a quartet of the winning Great Britain team from last month's European Championships, in which Abeylegesse finished runner-up to Paula Radcliffe.

Kathy Butler runs for a third successive weekend after good performances in Spain and last Saturday's Great North Cross-Country event.

The former Canadian international is joined by her fellow Scot Susan Partridge and England's Hayley Yelling, while Welsh hopes are carried by the world 1500m bronze medallist, Hayley Tullett.