Craig Pickering will be hoping that his 'lucky' Glasgow track gives him an edge as the indoor season gets serious in today's Aviva International match at the Kelvin Hall.

The Bath-based sprinter enjoyed a low-key work-out in the recent South of England Championships but knows he will have to raise his game against a field that includes former World 100m champion Kim Collins.

"Training has been going well for me and everything is fine," said Pickering. "I am undefeated at Glasgow and hopefully that will continue this weekend."

The Glasgow meeting effectively begins Pickering's build-up to the main goal of the winter, the European Indoor Championships in Torino, Italy, in March.

After Glasgow the Olympic 100m runner will race in Stuttgart a week today before contesting the Aviva UK Championships, incorporating the trials, the following week.

"I then have the Birmingham Grand Prix before the European Championships where I will be definitely looking for a medal," added Pickering.

"I was second last time I ran it (Birmingham in 2007) so hopefully I can go one better this time."

There is a cash incentive to break the course records at the Hestercombe Humdinger 9.5 miles road race, near Taunton, on Sunday (10.30am).

Organisers of the event, which is held at Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, are offering £40 for breaking the men's record held by Gerry Hogg (57mins 18secs) and the women's record set by Jenny Moore (63:06).

For further information call Richard Palmer (tel: 01823 286561) or log onto the race website at: www.hestercombehumdinger.co.uk

Tom Merson, of South West Road Runners, will start favourite for the Great West Fulfords 5 miles road race on Sunday.

The race HQ is Exmouth sports centre and entries will be taken on the day if the limit hasn't been reached. Go to the www.exmouth-harriers.co.uk website.

In competition with the Humdinger on Sunday is the Blackmore Vale half marathon (11am) held from Bishops Caundle, near Sherborne.

For details call John Old (tel: 01935 817263) or log onto the race website at: www.bvlions.co.uk

Stroud AC's Lee Rankin will be defending his title in the third May Hill Massacre 8 multi terrain race, in the Forest of Dean, on Suinday (11am). For further details try the website www.mayhillmassacre.co.uk or call McNamee (tel: 01242 677587).