ATHLETICS: Don Travers looks to defend his Born 2 Run Castleward Challenge Half Marathon title

Don Travers defends his half marathon title and the former cycling international will be prominent again.

Stuart Paulin, Richard Coey and Simon Reeve have all gone well in this event and will feature again.

Dublin Half Marathon winner Karen Alexander is also expected to retain her Ladies’ title. Last year’s runner-up Rachel Burgess, Paula McKibbin and Gillian Cordner can dispute medals.

Mourne Runners’ William McKee and Laura Graham have been dominating the 10K Forest Series and will be hot favourites if they compete. Laura followed her Larne and Omagh victories with an impressive third in the Titanic 10K.

The runners get under way at 10am.

Tomorrow will see the eighth running of the Run Armagh 10K Road Race which starts close to the Planetarium and finishes on the Mall.

On Sunday Hamilton of Slieve Gullion can be the man to beat with holder James Loftus from Liverpool Pembroke, David McCoy from Reading and Gerard Heaney St Peters all likely to take high places.

Louise Smith defends the Ladies’ title. She ran well for sixth in the Titanic and can succeed again. Kathryn Rafferty and Gillian Logan will go well while Patricia O’Hagan will make a big impact if she enters.

The action starts at 2pm.

North Down, Beechmount, Letterkenny and Finn Valley will be heading south to Raheny on Sunday for the GloHealth National Road Relay Championship.

North Down will select from Michael Dyer, Jamie Budde, Dennis Scott, Francis Marsh and Craig and Jamie McMeechan for the Senior Competition where holders Donore are favourites.

In the Open Ladies, where Leevale are fancied to retain their crown, North Down will have Jessica Craig, Rachel Gibson, Jodi Smith, Katie Moore and Melissa Eccles in their panel.