Baddeley primed for Edinburgh

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 22:11

ANDY Baddeley is determined to defend his Bupa Great Edinburgh International title on Saturday after his thrilling victory in last year's race.

Baddeley, the world's fastest miler in 2008, seemed to have forfeited his chances of victory in Holyrood Park when Andy Vernon blazed to the front with 800 metres of the four-kilometre race remaining.

But the experienced international put in a searing burst in the final 100m to win the duel by less than a second from his talented younger rival.

Now the pair, plus third-placed Tom Lancashire, who made his Olympic debut over 1500m in the summer, will again go head to head in the short-course event which brings together the country's top middle-distance runners.

Baddeley, fully fit after a recent Achilles injury, believes Edinburgh again offers the perfect start to his schedule as he sharpens up for next August's World Championships in Berlin.

"It was a tough race last year and I'm sure it will be just as hard again," said Baddeley. "Winning again is very important to me."