Speculation that double European silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan will run an autumn marathon increased today when the Cork athlete announced her racing programme for the next six weeks.
The 5,000 and 10,000metres runner-up in Munich earlier this month revealed she will take part in the Great Ireland run in Loughrea on October 13th - a race she won in the inaugural year of 1999 and now one of the country's top athletics events.
Her partner and coach, Nic Bideau, said a possibility existed that O'Sullivan might step up to the marathon distance where it is anticipated she will be equally successful as British rival Paul Radcliffe, winner on her debut in London last April.
Bideau said: "There is a chance she might do one in the autumn. Sonia is considering her options and is currently training for longer distances. Much will depend on what her future races tell her."
Although it is still the track season, O'Sullivan has several road races already written into her competition schedule. On Sunday she takes part in the women's-only Flora Lite Challenge five-miler in London's Hyde Park.
The following weekend O'Sullivan heads a top field over 10 miles in the BUPA Great South Run. Then on September 22th she will compete in the Nike London 10K run.
But her assessment of undertaking a autumn marathon is almost certain to come after the BUPA Great North Run on October 6th.
A former winner of the race, O'Sullivan faces a world-class field on Tyneside, headed by world half marathon champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia.
With the world's fastest ever half marathoner, Kenya's Susan Chepkemei, in the field and the double Olympic 10,000m gold medallist Derartu Tulu from Ethiopia also lining up, it will be a true test of the Irishwoman's ability to compete over a longer distance.
O'Sullivan expressed delight that the Loughrea race will continue for the foreseeable future following the death earlier this year of its founder Joe Grace, who organised the first meeting in 1976.
"The country needs more top races like this," said O'Sullivan. "I always remember the massive crowds which turned out to watch when I ran for the first time. It's a marvellous occasion for Irish athletics."
Despite showing a more positive leaning to road running, O'Sullivan insists she will undertake a full track season in 2003 when the world championships are again in the schedule.
After a low-key summer this year although her recent performances with seasons best over 3,000 and 5,000m have been quite impressive, she is determined to return to top-flight athletics.
O'Sullivan said: "Overall, yes, I've been happy. This year they've not been the worst and not the best. I suppose they've been right in the middle.
"But next season I want to get back up there again and start winning competitions against the best in the world."