Fully-fit Baddeley back in the mood for keeping his Edinburgh title

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 09:26

ANDY BADDELEY is determined to defend his Bupa Great Edinburgh International cross-country 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 internationalist 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 the Capital again offers the perfect start to his schedule as he sharpens up for next August's World Championships in Berlin and said: "I'm really looking forward to defending my Edinburgh cross-country title. It was a tough race last year and I'm sure it will be just as hard again. Winning again is very important to me."

Baddeley has not ruled out competing at the World Cross-country Championships in March, but, before that date in Amman, he plans to undertake a tough schedule of training and racing in the US and Australia. He also has a high-profile mile race lined up in New Zealand on March 13.

The country's most prestigious cross-country meeting has also attracted world-class fields for the international men's 8.9km and women's 5.6km events.