Chris Thompson, Andy Vernon, Jo Pavey and Aly Dixon among athletes heading to Parliament Hill for Euro trials event

A number of top endurance athletes will line up at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs on Saturday evening as they battle for European Championships selection.

Moving the official major championships trial away from the main British Championships has proved a major boost to 10,000m running as not only will there be more than 120 athletes competing over the five graded races, but a high-standard entry has been attracted by the hope of selection for two major championships.

With the first two past the post guaranteed European Championships selection provided they have the standard or gain it by July 13 stakes will by high.

Andy Vernon, Andrew Lemoncello, Jonny Mellor, Dewi Griffiths, Matt Hynes, Nick Torry, Ryan McLeod and Luke Cragg have ambitions of going below 29 minutes, while Chris Thompson has also been added to the line-up.

The women s European target is 33:00 and this has already been attained within the qualification window by Elinor Kirk, Lily Partridge and Hannah Walker.

Of these only Partridge is among the 24 entered, but a good standard is led by Jo Pavey, the Olympic seventh-placer, who is making her comeback following childbirth. The 40-year-old seems certain to break the UK W40 record of 34:26.4 belonging to Joyce Smith.

Alyson Dixon, Elle Vernon, Caryl Jones, Sonia Samuels, Tish Jones, Jess Coulson and Stevie Stockton are among those targeting the European mark.

Overseas entries from France s Sophie Duarte, Ireland s Fionnuala Britton and Poland s Iwona Lewandowska add competition that will help the domestic aims.

Timetable:

6pm Mixed race
6.45pm Men s C race
7.30pm Men s B race
8.15pm Women s A race
9pm Men s A race

The event is free to spectators who can watch from lane four. See the May 15 issue of AW for in-depth coverage

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