MIDLANDS-BASED Kenyan Edwin Kipkorir, winner of last week's Plymouth Half Marathon, will lead a strong African challenge for the £1,000 first prize in tonight's 31st Blaydon Race.

African runners have dominated the big 5.9-mile Tyneside event, winning every year since 1999, except in 2009 when Morpeth Harrier Ian Hudspith upset the odds.

Hudspith, winner of the last three Tees Pride 10Ks and third at Blaydon last year, has now joined the veteran ranks, but proved he is still a force to be reckoned with by finishing first over-40 in this month's London 10K and having posted a time of 29 mins 42 secs for the distance in Manchester last month.

Another local runner expected to be at the sharp end is Tipton Harrier Ryan McLeod, son of former Olympic 10,000m silver medallist and seven-time Blaydon winner, Mike McLeod.

The women's race also promises to be a hotly-contested affair, with former Elswick Harrier Justina Heslop, now with Clapham Chasers, seeking a hat-trick of victories.

The England international holds the course record of 31 mins 25 secs and recently finished fourth - just three seconds behind Paula Radcliffe - in the London 10K.

Her main domestic rivals are expected to be Chester-le-Street pair Freya Murray, the Scottish cross country champion, and Alyson Dixon, who has been selected to run for Great Britain in the World Championships marathon in South Korea later this year.

The race will have its traditional start outside Balmbra's public house in the centre of Newcastle at 7pm, with the leading runners finishing in the Blaydon Shopping Precinct around 7.40pm.