SPECIAL prize-money of £100 is on offer for record-breaking performances in tomorrow's big Darlington 10K.

And current record holder Martin Scaife reckons his time of 30 mins 21 secs can be beaten if the right field is assembled.

The 33-year-old Morpeth Harrier, who won the race three years in succession before missing the event 12 months ago, has just recovered from a viral infection and won't decide about competing until he tests himself with an hour's rigorous training run today.

But he has no doubt that the 2002 record could be under threat.

He said: "It is a great race and it's just crying out for a really good field when the record will go.

"It is a sub-30 minute 10K just waiting for the right bunch of lads to turn up."

Scaife has not raced since the Blaydon Race in June, when his hopes of being the first North-East finisher were again dashed by clubmate Mark Hudspith.

Now he will consult with coach Ian Bloomfield - a former Great Britain marathon international - before deciding whether to line up at the head of the 1,000 runners.

"I was born and bred in Darlington and the race is something really special to me," said Scaife. "But I have had a viral infection which knocked me for six and I have just come off a hard block of training.

"I'd love to run but I haven't made my mind up yet."

Most of the top runners are expected to be late entries, like last year's winner, Mike Scott, of Border Harriers, who won in a time of 31 mins 55 secs, beating former Darlington runner Barry Stephenson, by an emphatic 48 seconds.

There will be a strong entry from Sunderland Harriers - second team behind Border last year - spearheaded by former North-East 10K champion Mark Hood.

Former winner Bernadette Taylor, the reigning North-East cross country and half marathon champion, will be among the favourites in the women's race, trying to beat the record time of 35 mins 49 secs, set by another Darlington Harrier, Susie Rutherford, who won last year in 37.57.

A record entry is expected for the two-lap race, which starts on Prebends Row at 10.30am. It will be preceded by a junior fun-run at 9.45 am.

l Morpeth Harrier Michael Morris won the 4.8K City of Sunderland Sport in the Parks Race at Hetton in a time of 14 mins 53 secs, beating reigning British Masters cross country champion Brian Rushworth by 17 seconds, with Morpeth's Terry Wall a further 20 seconds away in third place.

The women's race was won by Sunderland Harrier Gillian Barry, 19, who clocked 19.21 to beat clubmate Ingrid Hope by 59 seconds.