A change of plan means that Catherina McKiernan will have her next race in Liverpool on Sunday. Originally she was due to run in Portugal at the weekend but she confirmed yesterday that she will now compete in England.

The 10-mile road race will be her last before her attack on Tegla Lorupe's world marathon record in Amsterdam on November 1st.

"We decided to take the Liverpool race in preference to the one in Portugal because it is more convenient," she said. "At this point I don't know who else is in it, but I'm told it will be competitive."

"It should be a good blow out for the race in Amsterdam and after doing so much mileage in training it will give me a good idea of where I'm at in my preparations."