Sonia O'Sullivan has no plans to make marathon running part of her comeback to world athletics. Expecting her second child in December, O'Sullivan was in Dublin yesterday to announce her support for the third Loughrea five-mile road race on October 21st.

"I do have plans to run a marathon in the future but it won't be next year," she said. "The first goal will be to get back for the World Cross Country in Dublin in March. It's a second chance to run in Dublin. I'm hoping to take it."

This year's Loughrea race will feature an official charity for the first time. The Irish Heart Foundation will be encouraging people to enter to race as a source of sponsorship.