McKiernan to run in Durham

Catherina McKiernan will return to cross-country racing, at least temporarily, for her first outings since winning the Amsterdam marathon earlier this month.

McKiernan confirmed yesterday that her next two races will be at the Durham International Cross-Country on January 2nd and the Ras na hEireann, two weeks later, in Dunleer.

Both races were run by McKiernan last year but there is still no decision, however, on whether she will compete in the World Cross-Country Championships in Belfast at the end of March although it does mean that the European Championship event in Italy next month is definitely not in her plans.

"After a few weeks of easy running it's good to get back to some hard training with these races in mind," said McKiernan. "They both worked out well last year and also gives me some indication of where my training is going.

"The plans for the next marathon are still being made and until then we can't make any final decision on the World Cross-Country. There is also the possibility of altitude training at some stage and again that will depend on where the marathon is going to be."