Claire Hallissey flew back into Bristol yesterday to lead the Bristol & West AC challenge at the Midland Counties Road Relay Championships in Birmingham.

The Bristol half marathon champion has spent the last 10 days in America but was keen to return in time for tomorrow's event as Bristol & West seek to maintain their impressive record of two gold medals and six silvers in the past eight years.

"It is not ideal preparation for Claire but she was determined to run and we are delighted to have her in the squad," said team manager Mike Down.

Katie Knowles, Charlie Coffey, Imogen Ainsworth, Rebekkah Randell, Emily Merrick, Eleanor Wimshurst and Ruth Mitchell complete the squad from which the A and B teams will be selected, while Bristol also has a C team.

With Great Britain international Rob Whalley getting married tomorrow, the men's team will be hard pushed to retain their title, but a line-up boasting Tom Merson, Phil Wylie, Tom Russell, Jon Wills, Steve Gallienne and Steve Mitchell is still a formidable one.

The club will also field an all-junior squad of Nathan Young, Sean Hazel, Dan Layton, Rob Witham and brothers Richard and Matt Peters.

"Both the men and women have strong chances of getting among the medals again," added Down.

Westbury Harriers' women's team has a solid, top-10 look about it, with Robyn Golding, Emma D'Alton, Lizzy Smith and Sophie Voller lining up.

The Harriers have also entered three men's teams and team manager John Terry believes the A squad looks more competitive than in recent years.

"Joe and Sam Dalgleish, Dan Studley, Rod Jones, Gregg Ward, Richard Wallis and Tom Carpenter are all available for selection and we are awaiting news on Julian Hatcher's availability," said Terry, who is also running.

"I think a top 10-15 slot is a realistic prospect with the squad we have available."

Bitton Road Runners will field a men's team of Mike Blackmore, Darren Saville, Mark Searle, Peter Ward, Simon Laraway and Ian Hoare, while Clevedon AC will be sending a women's team.

Sunday sees the Young Athletes relays and Westbury's Under-17 women's squad of Emily Fitzhugh, Zoe Barber and Floren Scrafton looks, on paper at least, as good as any.

"That's a good little team, but it is early season and I'm not sure how fit they are at the moment," said team manager and coach Pat Gallagher.

The Under-13 girls' squad comprises Poppy Thompson, Holly Sawyer and Zoe Gould, while Victoria Kenny and Iris McNeill head the Under-15 girls' squad.

The boys' team is still being finalised, but the Under-17 men will feature Will Massey, Freddie Barton and Felix McGrath.

There will be a big contrast between the experience of Bristol & West AC's Under-17 women's team and their Under-15s.

In the Under-17s,Naomi Speake will be joined by GB junior international Annabel Gummow and up-and-coming local girl Olivia Sadler.

The Under-15s can rely on the experience of Megan Fowler, who will be joined by 800m specialist Lily Owsley and Miranda Sadler.

"Despite having a great line-up on paper in the Under-17s, you have to exercise a degree of caution and to that end we are taking newcomer Billie Williams as reserve," said team manager Dave Taylor.

Tackling his 10th marathon, Nick Kane will be seeking his first sub three-hour time in Berlin on Sunday.

"I did 3hrs 2mins in London in 2005 so I'm on the cusp," said the 46-year-old member of Bitton Road Runners.

"Preparations have gone well and Berlin is a fast course so I'm really looking forward to it."

Kane, whose main sport is the triathlon, will be joined by fellow Warmley runner Dave Coales, who is the chairman of Team Bath AC. Coales, who boasts a PB of 2:45.28, is chasing a time of 2hrs 45mins.

The seventh Portishead 10k multi- terrain race will be held from Lake Grounds on Sunday (10.30am) and there will also be a 5k event and a family fun run (10.15). For further details see the race website at www.portisheadrunningclub.co.uk

The English Schools' Combined Events Championships is virtually the last track & field match of note this season and Avon's lone representative will be South West champion Adam McBraida, a member of Yate & District AC.