ENGLAND'S oldest road race, the Saltwell 10K, has been saved after lengthy safety talks between organising club Saltwell Harriers and Northumbria Police.

Police were concerned about possible danger to runners, but agreed to give the event the go-ahead on Sunday, December 18, after the club agreed to pay for extra safety arrangements, including the support of police motorcyclists to re-direct traffic and enforce road closures.

The race, once dominated by former Olympic 10,000m silver-medallist Mike McLeod, who won a phenomenal 17 times in succession, includes the formidable Chowdene Bank and there will be a special prime prize of £25 for the first runner to reach the top of the gruelling climb. Last year's winner, Martin Scaife, will be one of the favourites for the senior men's title in the 100th North-East Cross Country Championships at Bishop Auckland next Saturday after setting a stage record in the prestigious Bahrain International Marathon Relay last month.

The first man and woman will each receive prize-money of £100, with £30 on offer for the first junior home. There will be 1.5 mile races for under-13 boys and girls (10am) and under-15 boys and girls (10.15) before the main event at 10.30.

* Former London Marathon over-40 winner Dave Robertson is not expected to defend his senior men's title in this afternoon's Warburton's Norman Woodcock Memorial Road Race after injury problems.

The 45-year-old Sunderland Harrier beat club-mate and fellow veteran Tom Doughty in an exciting finish last year in a time of 31 min 23 secs.

Over the years the Elswick Harriers race has attracted top athletes and the winners' list includes Steve Cram, Brendan Foster and Mike McLeod. The course record of 28 mins 20 seconds was set by Great Britain international Paul Davies-Hale.

The six-mile race, in the grounds of Gosforth Park, starts at 2pm and late entries will be accepted.

* Veteran Joyce Chepchumba takes aim at her seventh major global marathon win when she runs in Singapore tomorrow.

The 35-year-old is a former winner in Chicago, London and New York but fellow Kenyan Helen Cherono, who won the Standard Chartered Bank Singapore Marathon last year, along with Ethiopian Gigi Roba and Chinese teenager Wang Xiaoshu, are expected to pose threats.

In the men's event, defending champion Philip Tanui of Kenya will be up against ten men who have run faster than two hours ten minutes for the event.

Tanui said: ''It's a much better field this year, but I know the course."