Radcliffe out to test herself

Paula Radcliffe will be on a fact-finding mission in the BUPA Great North Run on Sunday to help her decide on the next move in her comeback, as she returns from 21 months out.

Through motherhood and injury, she has not competed since winning a 10 kilometres road race in Madrid on New Year's Eve 2005, but the world marathon record-holder is confident she is in shape to make a top level return in a race she has twice won.

"I feel I am just at that point now where I need a race," said Radcliffe. "You can't really tell from what you do in training. You know you are in decent shape - but you can't really tell until you get out and race and see what happens."

Radcliffe faces a strong field - headed by Hungary's Aniko Kalovics, Europe's second-fastest half-marathon runner this year, and America's world 10000metres bronze medallist Kara Goucher.

Adanech Zekiros, hoping to succeed fellow Ethiopian Berhane Adere as race champion, will also be a threat along with Kenya's Jane Muia.