New-look cross country event awaits Eliud Kipchoge

Kipchoge, the first winner of what is acknowledged as the top meeting on the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) calendar of permit events, will compete in a revamped competition at Holyrood Park on 8 January 2011.

The men's 9km international race, which Kipchoge won in 2005 and has finished third on a further two occasions, has been reduced to 4km as part of the new format for 2011.

The event includes three cross country events - the men's 4km and women's 6km invitation-only events and the 8km Men's International Team Challenge.

The team challenge will see the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior, under-23 and under-20 men take on the United States and a European Select. There will be nine athletes per team and the first six to complete the course will receive a score based on their position. The team with the lowest overall score wins.

"The new programme is designed to host what should be a closely-fought duel between the teams involved," said Andy Caine, the event project manager, who added that the quality of overseas runners - which has seen Olympic and world champions such as Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba star in previous years - will be maintained.

"I think what is important about cutting the international race to 4km is that it will also allow track stars who specialise over 1,500m to take part, and there has been an encouraging response to the proposal," he added.

"It will still suit the likes of Kipchoge and other leading 5,000m runners, who will still be at home with the distance. It's a new concept, but I believe it will be a winning formula which we hope will capture the imagination of the public."

Paul Bush, chief operating officer for EventScotland said: "The Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country is a great way to kick off our 2011 calendar of events.

"The strength of the field, combined with the stunning backdrop of Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park, sets the stage for an exciting spectacle for everyone attending or enjoying the television coverage at home."

Entry into Holyrood Park is free for spectators and the day's racing will begin with hundreds of youngsters taking part in the 2.5km Bupa Junior Great Winter Run followed by thousands runners of all abilities taking on the 5km Bupa Great Winter Run.

Both events are part of the Bupa Great Run series, organised by Nova International, also organisers of the Bupa Great North Run and the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run. Entries are still open at www.greatrun.org.