Top west runner Frank Tickner will bid to reclaim his senior men's title at the Saucony English Cross Country Championships around Parliament Hill, in London, today.

The Wells City Harrier from Somerset last won the title two years ago when he streaked home 40 seconds clear of the field.

Tickner didn't defend his crown twelve months ago but after a good winter, with a best-ever 10th in the European Championships, he will be among the favourites to win again and go one better than when the event was last staged in the capital three years ago.

"I have been going well this winter and I'm really looking forward to Saturday's race," he said.

In terms of team success Bristol & West AC's senior women have a strong squad led by Chippenham's Amy Chalk, who was in the teams that won in 2004 and 2005.

■ Stroud international Tom Russell heads north to compete in the Scottish cross Country Championships in Falkirk.

Among his rivals will be former champion Simon Plummer, who lives in Salisbury and has shown an encouraging return to form this winter.

■ Bristol & West AC's Emily Diamond will make her England debut tomorrow in the 4x200m relay at the Celtic Cup in Cardiff.

"I am so excited," said Diamond, whose selection reflects a superb season for the 17-year-old, who is rated No 1 in the UK Under 20 Rankings.

■ Team Bath stage an indoor meeting at Bath University today featuring sprints, sprint hurdles and both long and triple jumps only.

■ The Easy Runner tough Ten Challenge in Weston-super-Mare tomorrow (11am) has a sell-out field of 1300 runners so no entries on the day apart from the 1-mile fun run. Clevedon AC's Vito Graffagnino is bidding to win his fourth successive title.

■ Cheltenham international Emily Pidgeon is among the entries for tomorrow's Bourton 10k road race. No entries will be taken on the day.

■ The Babcary 7.5 miles road race, the second in the Somerset Series, is staged tomorrow from Babcary Playing Fields, near Somerton (11am) and entries will be taken on the day. For further details see the race website at: www.wellscityharriers.org.uk

■ The last race in the Bristol Bridge Inn Winter 5k series takes place next Tuesday (7.30pm) and as usual entries are on the night. The first race in the summer series is on Tuesday 28th April.