Boost for Bristol 10k as it is chosen for England Athletics Championships

There will be an extra touch of glamour to this year's Bristol 10k as it has been chosen to incorporate the England Athletics Championships.

The event is sure to attract some of the country's best runners and it could be the most competitive race in the short history of the Bristol 10k.

Race director Georgette Van Hoof said: "Historically, we have secured the national championships for the half marathon, so to be awarded this in only our third year with the 10k is a real privilege and honour.

"We are really pleased to be hosting the England Athletics Championships and it fits in very nicely with our continuing emphasis on supporting the best of British."

With the title at stake on top of the attractive prize fund, Van Hoof should have no worries about the event attracting a top-class field, and the course records set last year by Phil Wicks (28:54) and Hattie Dean (33:30) , who has already pledged to defend her title, could be under threat.

She added: "We'll do our best to attract as many big names as we can and give them a great Bristol experience."

The event, on Sunday, May 9 (9.30am), will also incorporate a university competition with a lucrative £2,000 worth of prizes on offer from new sponsor Up & Running.

Van Hoof said: "We did it last year but just between Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff Universities and it went so well that we want to develop it into a national event for both individuals and teams."

More than 3,000 entries have been received for the race and Van Hoof is hopeful that the 2010 event will not only beat last year's total of 7,800 entries but also get close to the magical target of 10,000.

She added: "I'm not sure if it is realistic yet, but it would be brilliant to reach 10,000 entries in only our third year."