NORTH-EAST athletics comes out of its enforced hibernation tomorrow when a record entry of nearly 1,500 runners is expected for the annual Enron Redcar Half Marathon.

But the long-standing Cleveland event has not been left untouched by the foot and mouth crisis, the organisers having to change the course to avoid passing through vulnerable farmland.

Several fixtures, including the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League and the Durham Pine North-East Harrier League, have fallen victim to the outbreak, plus last week's Jack Russell Races at South Shields.

So the region's enthusiasts will be flocking to the 19th Redcar event, which also incorporates the North-East men's and women's half marathon championships.

Last year's champion, Chester-le-Street's Stewart Bell, has still not made a full recovery from the back injury he received in the Flora London Marathon last April. But women's winner, Sheila Allen, will be seeking to get her name on the trophy again after finishing two and a half minutes clear last year.

The men's race should attract some of the North-East's top runners, including Guisborough PE teacher Rob Holladay, who won the Loftus Poultry Run at Christmas as part of his build-up to London next month.

Holladay, who is being guided by Morpeth's Jim Alder, the former Commonwealth Games marathon winner, underlined his form with a seven-minute victory in the Stamford St Valentine's Day 30K road race last month, and the Yorkshireman will be the man to beat if he chooses to compete for the first time.

But the event is expected to attract runners from a wide area and there could be some surprise late entries on the day.

Prolific racer Allen, the double World Veterans Championships gold medallist, has been kicking her heels during the enforced lay-off, but the rest will have eased one or two niggles which have been troubling the 44-year-old Houghton and Peterlee athlete.

They have not, however, prevented her from winning her usual quota of races against her younger rivals.

But she could be tested by the current North-East Cross Country champion, Marie Stansmore, who has decided to make her half marathon debut.

Stansmore, a 28-year-old PE teacher who is also the reigning NYSD women's champion, is hoping to raise £500 towards a new minibus for Thornaby Community School.

Tomorrow's race starts at 10am outside Redcar Leisure Centre and late entries (£12) will be accepted from 8.30am.

l The final Durham Pine North-East Harrier League fixture, due to be held at Meadowfield next Saturday, has been called off and, following the cancellation of the meeting due to be held at Prudhoe last weekend, the series may be abandoned.