ATHLETICS: Paula Radcliffe received an unexpected, but apparently welcome, 29th birthday present yesterday when double Olympic 10,000 metres champion Derartu Tulu confirmed she will face her British rival in Newcastle next month.

The addition of Tulu to the Great North Cross Country field promises another fascinating Tyneside confrontation between the reigning World 10,000 metres champion and Radcliffe.

With Ethiopian Gete Wami also lining up in the 6km race on January 4th, Radcliffe will begin her new year against two of her toughest rivals for her top target next summer of the world 10,000 metres crown.

Race director Peter Elliott believes, although it is still very early in the cross country season, personal pride will produce a world class race.

The former Commonwealth 1,500 metres champion said: "Paula doesn't believe in easy races at this level and will be looking forward to the clash. The tougher the opposition the more she responds. Likewise both Tulu and Wami are made of the same steely qualities. They'll be up for it."

While Paris and their eagerly anticipated 10,000 metres clash next August is still a long time away, any meeting between three of the likeliest candidates for victory in the French capital will be eagerly followed, even over a terrain bearing no resemblance to the Stade de France track.

But cross country is an essential preparation for the summer season and the trio are currently the best exponents.

All have won the IAAF world title more than once, and apart from Sonia O'Sullivan's success four years ago, between them they have dominated the championships since 1994.

They have also been regular visitors to one of Britain's major international cross country meetings. Radcliffe and Wami have each triumphed on three occasions, while only five months after winning her first Olympic title in 1992, Tulu defeated her British rival.

Since then the paths of Radcliffe and Tulu have regularly crossed with, on almost every occasion, the Ethiopian's devastating finishing speed earning her major track titles at Olympic and World level and in the World Cross Country Championships.

There have been two notable exceptions. Two years ago in the Great North cross country over a snowbound course in Consett, Radcliffe inflicted a 75-second defeat upon Tulu.

Then on her brilliant debut at the distance in this year's London Marathon, Radcliffe's victory saw her finish nearly 10 minutes ahead of the ninth-placed defending champion.

Meanwhile, Sammy Kipketerhas been added to the men's 9km field. The gifted 20-year-old Kenyan faces race winners for the last two years, fellow countryman Paul Kosgei and Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia.