Stalwarts Mark Carroll and Sonia O'Sullivan will both run in this year's Great BUPA Ireland Run taking place in Dublin's Phoenix Park on April 9. For Carroll the Irish record holder at 3km, 5km and 10km's it will be his debut in the mass participation 10-kilometres race while O'Sullivan will be challenging to regain the title won last year by the now retired Catherina McKiernan.

Carroll has shown a resurgence of top form in recent weeks and at the end of January scored an impressive 3,000 metres indoor victory ahead of America's top middle-distance runner Alan Webb. "Mark showed he still has the aggression for running on the boards," said Matthew Turnbull the race athletics director of the former European indoor champion.

"I'm sure he'll bring that form with him when he makes his debut in the Great BUPA Ireland Run after missing last year's through injury." Carroll showed his confidence to compete in the race, knowing even before he signed-up he will be facing Australia's Number One distance star Craig Mottram, winner for the last two years.

Turnbull said: "Mottram's eager to complete a hatrick and that is the reason he jumped without hesitation at the opportunity of returning to Dublin. A great race is on the cards."

Meanwhile Turnbull is delighted that O'Sullivan is again supporting the event where last year she surprisingly surrendered her title to arch-rival McKiernan. "I understand she's had a solid winter's training down in Australia after recovering from a minor injury," said Turnbull. "Now it's a case of getting some other top women into the race." Entries for the mass race are still being taken with almost 2,000 already signed up the third installment of the event, it promises to be the biggest to date. Thanks to Nicola Hedley for this story.

For more information call (01) 868 00 88 or visit 2005 Great BUPA Ireland Run website