Olympic 5000 metres silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan will use the Great Ireland Run on Sunday, 13th October as another warm-up race before the New York City Marathon. The race begins at 1.00 pm in Loughrea, County Galway.

O'Sullivan, who is scheduled to run in the Big Apple Classic on 3rd November admits that she has a soft spot for the Loughrea five mile race which she won three years ago in the phenomenal time of 24 minutes 27 seconds.

At the time, it was hailed as a new world best but subsequently, it was discovered a downhill stretch now withdrawn from the race, prevented its ratification.

Nevertheless that performance can never be ignored and after two superb victories last month over 5K in London's Hyde Park where she narrowly missed the world best then a week later broke the World 10 mile record at the BUPA Great South Run, O'Sullivan is in the form of her life.

Certainly another fantastic performance is anticipated from the winner of this year's European Championship 5000m and 10000m silver medals who many believe is in the best autumn shape of her brilliant career.

Entries for the race are still open for an event, which has become one of Ireland's most popular road races. There are cash prizes for the first 8 men and women finishers and sportswear for those placing ninth to 15th.

The sterling efforts of the former race secretary Joe Grace who died earlier this year will be recognised with the presentation of a Memorial Trophy in honour of the athletics doyen to the first Galway County runner.

Click here to enter the Great Ireland Run Loughrea 5 online.

Thanks to Nicola Hedley for this report.