Russell faces tough challenge as he bids to defend title in Bristol

Tom Russell will be chasing a hat-trick of victories in the senior men's race at the British Milers' Club Cross Country Championships on the Downs in Bristol on Sunday.

The fast, 4k multi-lap course is one of Russell's favourite events. It falls just six days before the trials for the European Championships and has again attracted a good field.

Among Russell's rivals will be leading Somerset runner Ben Tickner, who won the recent Gwent League race and the Street 5k, Ryan McLeod and South West cross country champion Kevin Heywood.

Russell's Bristol & West club-mates will also be hot on his heels, with Steve Mitchell, Tom Merson, Richard Peters and Jon Wills all set to take part if the terrain isn't too heavy.

"The BMC event is one of my favourite races and I'm really looking forward to it," said Russell.

"I have done some pretty hard training recently, so a shorter race over 4k should be good to help sharpen up for the trials in Liverpool the following weekend.

"I have won the race for the past two years and hopefully it would be nice to make it three. It looks like it will be a competitive race with Ben and Ryan there and that's just what I want. I'll give it a go and see what happens."

The senior men's race is certainly shaping up to the be the highlight of the meeting, which is a fitting way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mike Sully Trophy. In years gone by, when the race was staged at Frys, in Keynsham, it attracted some of the very best runners in the country, including former Olympic champion Steve Ovett.

The women's race, which incorporates the 14th Gemma Butler Bowl, doesn't look so strong on paper – though there may yet be some late entries. At present it could be a Bristol & West club battle with British international Claire Hallissey facing defending champion Kate Goodhead, though the addition of juniors Katie Knowles, Eleanor Wimshurst and Laura Parker should add some spice.

Thanks to a grant from the Avon Athletics Association, Sunday's event is also featuring a mob match for local clubs for the first time, while organiser Nick Rose reports a healthy entry of more than 100 youngsters for the Up & Running Under-11 girls' and boys' races.

Runners can turn up on the day to run the 4k course but clubs must register their interest beforehand with organiser Jon Goodland either by email at jon.goodland@axa-tech.com or by calling 07977 918764.

Great Western Runners and Hogweed Trotters have already pledged their support.

Entries are still being taken for the open races. For more details visit www.britishmilersclub.com or www.bristolandwestac.org

Timetable – 11;30 U11 boys 1.2k; 11:40 U11 girls 1.2k; 11:50 U13 boys 2k; 12:05 U13 girls 2k; 12:20 U15 boys 3k; 12:40 U17 & U15 girls 3k; 1:00 U17 men 3k; 1:20 U20, senior and veteran women4k inc the 14th Gemma Butler Bowl; 1:40 U20, senior and veteran men 4k inc the 50th Mike Sully Trophy; 2:00 Avon AA Mob Match 4k.

Team captains Mark Kingdom and Claire Graham will lead the Bitton Road Runners challenge at the second Gloucestershire Cross Country League fixture at Blackbridge, in Gloucester, tomorrow. Clevedon AC and Westbury Harriers will also be competing.

The next Bridge Inn 5k road race in Shortwood, Bristol, will be held on Tuesday, with entries taken on the night. For further information see www.bristolandwestac.org