KENYAN Julius Kimtai has decided against making a bid for a hat-trick of victories in the Auckland Castle 10K a week tomorrow - to concentrate on preparations for his marathon debut in New York in November.

The African, who won the Blaydon Race for a third time in June and relishes racing in the North-East, was anxious to give the Auckland Castle race organisers notice of his intention to stay in his home country to prepare at altitude for his first run over the classic distance.

He will return to the region next month, however, to compete in the Great North Run on September 16.

There is expected to be a high class domestic field in Bishop Auckland, but there will also be a formidable African contingent in Julius Kibet, Willie Kirui and George Okworo.

Home-based runners will include John Wild and Glynn Tromans, reigning UK 5000m and 10,000m champions respectively, while Durham-based World Cross Country Championships internationals Dominic Bannister and Mike Openshaw are also likely to be on the starting line for The Northern Echo-sponsored event.

l Triple jump ace Jonathan Edwards will be given a hero's welcome when he competes in tomorrow's Norwich Union Classic in Gateshead.

The rock-bottom performances in Edmonton have taken the edge off the last televised meeting of the domestic season so the focus will be on the triple jump

The meeting provides a last chance for the disappointing British athletes to redeem themselves. The meeting organisers have attracted 16 gold medallists to the IAAF Grand Prix 11 meeting, where prize money of US $360,000 will be on offer.