GREAT Britain international Mark Hudspith might not run another marathon after collapsing during the Commonwealth Games two months ago.

The 34-year-old Morpeth Harrier returned to competition yesterday in the Nichol Hunter Cross Country Relays at Blaydon, but after recording the fastest lap revealed that continuing worries over the breathing problems which hospitalised him in Manchester could put an end to his long-distance running career.

He said: "Looking forward to the Olympic Games in two years I know the marathon is my best shot. But I cannot think about that until I know what has been wrong with me."

Hudspith, however, has received no financial support for medical treatment from UK Athletics since the trauma he suffered after only four miles of the Commonwealth Games marathon, and he has joined the NHS waiting list to see the specialists who might be able to diagnose the reasons for his mystery chest trouble.

Meanwhile he will continue to represent the Northumbrian club, racing in the National Six Stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Coldfield this weekend.

He said: "I think the problem is less likely to recur in shorter races and I feel all right after the training I have done. It's nice to get back running again but it has been very frustrating."

Hudspith clocked 9 mins 59 secs for his three-kilometre leg over a testing course, moving Morpeth A team from fifth place into pole position. But anchorman David Swinburne found himself outsprinted by clubmate Richard Kay, who snatched victory for Morpeth's B string.

* Hudspith's younger brother, Ian, boosted his hopes of winning selection for the European Cross Country Championships in Croatia by finishing fourth in the first Reebok Cross Challenge race in Liverpool, only eight seconds behind the winner, Tipton's Matt Smith. Teesside-based Dominic Bannister (Shaftsbury Barnet), who won the series three times before dropping out last year, was seventh.

Chester-le-Street's Dianne Heneghan, also boosted her European Championships chances by finishing third behind Liz and Hayley Yelling in the women's race at Sefton Park.