FORMER Great Britain international Stewy Bell defends his title and goes for his fifth victory in tomorrow's sell-out Fruit Bowl 7 multi-terrain event at Gibside.

The race, recognised as one of the most picturesque in the region, has attracted a limit field of 500 runners and organiser Joy Bell has had to return nearly 300 entries.

Joy's 37-year-old son has won four times and has finished second twice in the previous eight events organised by Derwentside AC in support of the Friends of Gibside.

The Chester-le-Street runner's biggest rival tomorrow is expected to be previous winner, Alisdair Tatham, of Darlington club Quakers, who was successful in 2002.

The women's race promises to be a battle of the veterans, with three leading contenders in the absence of last year's winner, Quakers' Dawn Richardson.

Tynedale's Sonia Morley, runner up in 2004,takes on Alison Raw, a member of Darlington's winning team in the last North-East Cross Country Championships, and successful fell-runner Karen Robertson, third at Gibside last year.

Heavy rain has caused flooding in the Gibside grounds and officials, concerned that the grassed areas used for car parking will be churned up, have appealed to athletes to share transport and to use great care to avoid damage.

Mrs Bell said: "The two grassed areas used for parking have been under water and obviously we want to avoid any damage. I have tried to get in touch with all the clubs to ask athletes to share their cars wherever possible to reduce the number of vehicles wanting to park."

"It is a beautiful course and the entry this year has been incredible. It has been very disappointing to have had to return nearly 300 entries over the 500 limit."

The race starts at 10am and no late entries will be accepted.

* Jon Brown is adamant he can brush away the injuries and illnesses which have ruined his racing programme this year in tomorrow's New York City Marathon.

Brown after having missed both the World marathon and half marathon championship races this year believes he can finish a low key season on a high this weekend.

''Training has gone fairly well for this one, not super great, but quite solid similar to London this year,'' where he lowered his personal best to two hours nine minutes and 31 seconds.

Brown, born in Bridgend, added: ''After the Great North Run I came down with a cold but since then training has gone fine.

''Three weeks ago I ran another half for training and ran a solo 63:55,'' which was only 11 seconds slower than in the highly competitive GNR where Zersenay Tadesse posted the the world's fastest-ever time.