FAST-RISING middle distance star Nick McCormick might not yet hang up his cross country spikes for the winter as he prepares for the Commonwealth Games 1500m next March.

But the 25-year-old Tynesider, who anchored Morpeth Harriers to victory in last weekend's National Cross Country Relay Championships, will not be helping the Northumbrians defend their title in the 100th North-East Championships at Bishop Auckland next month.

McCormick's next test will be in next Sunday's Leeds Abbey Dash, when he will be making his debut over 10K - his previous longest road race was a victory over five miles at Alsager, near Stoke, this year.

The AAA 1500m champion is currently on holiday in Helsinki and will discuss his racing programme with Chester-le-Street-based coach Lindsay Dunn on his return.

Dunn said: "We haven't yet finalised his programme - it is so difficult planning to get fit for 1500m in March and also be ready for next summer.

"I have sorted out in my own mind what I want him to do and we'll sit down and talk about it when he gets back from holiday."

Dunn, who rescued McCormick's racing career two years ago when the richly-talented athlete thought about giving up after a frustrating series of injuries, said: "We wanted to see where exactly he was in the cross country relays and his performance was very, very pleasing.

"He did what I though he would do - he is flying at the moment."

Dunn has in mind a series of road and indoor races to prepare McCormick for his big task in Melbourne.

He said: "Nick has to make choices - the next few months are vitally important.

"But is it difficult to do 1500m work in the middle of winter. He's got to be ready for the Commonwealth Games in March but I don't want to muck up his summer work next year."

The former Junior World Cross Country international has shot to prominence this year, beating Commonwealth Games 1500m champion Michael East in the AAA Championships.

Dunn said: "While we haven't ruled out any more cross country races this winter Nick won't be doing the North-East Championships.

"His next race will be his 10K debut in the Leeds Abbey Dash next week and I don't envisage any problems with the extra distance."

While McCormick will miss the regional championships on December 10, another member of Dunn's stable, Neil Wilkinson, will be trying for a hat-trick of victories at Bishop Auckland.

Previous individual senior men's champions have been invited to be special guests at the centenary championships and so far 17 previous winners have accepted, including Sunderland Harrier Brian Rushworth, who won the title a record ten times.

The second North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League fixture will be held at Newton Aycliffe tomorrow (1pm).

* Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will make a ''final decision'' in the next couple of weeks over whether to retire from athletics or defend her 1,500 metres title in next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Holmes, 35, has recovered from an Achilles injury and is poised to decide if the time is right to end a career which hit the heights at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she struck gold in the 800m and 1500m.

Holmes said: ''I'm going to make my final decision in the next couple of weeks.

''I didn't want to end my career through injury but my Achilles is fine and I am back running. If I choose to go (to Melbourne) I would be defending my title.''

Holmes has made plans for her post-athletics career, including a television programme promoting PE in schools, and is guiding a group of Britain's most promising female teenage middle-distance runners, with the aim of producing a home medal winner at the 2012 London Olympics.