FORMER winner Mark Hudspith has decided to challenge the African stranglehold in tonight's big Blaydon Race.

A record 4,000 runners will line up outside the former Balmbra's Music Hall in Newcastle's Bigg Market - and Hudspith, who won the event seven years ago, looks like being the best hope of a domestic winner after recovering from his exertions in this year's London Marathon, when he finished 20th, a tantalising 75 seconds outside the Olympic qualifying time.

The 35-year-old Morpeth Harrier feared that he would not recover in time to compete in one of his favourite events, having won in 1997 after being runner-up the previous year and finishing third in 1998 and 2000.

But he has been surprised by his rate of recovery and has changed his mind about running after recording some excellent training times recently.

But the former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist will have it all to do if he is to halt a run of five African successes.

He is taking on four-times winner and course record holder Joseph Kimtai, who will be chasing the £1,000 first prize along with defending champion, Tesfaye Aticha of Ethiopia.

Hudspith's younger brother Ian gave a commendable account of himself last year when he finished third behind Eticha and runner-up Julius Kibet, winning the £500 prize for being the first member of a North-East club to cross the line.

Hudspith could well find himself in a similar situation tonight - but he will face a challenge for the honour of being the first local finisher from Martin Scaife, who has left Chester-le-Street AC to join Morpeth Harriers.

The absence of Olympic marathon runner Liz Yelling, who is recovering from essential dental surgery, removes the major threat to African runners in the women's race, which also carries a first prize of £1,000. The leading contenders are Miryam Wangari and Catherine Mutwa, second and third last year behind Russian Yelena Burykina, also absent after two visits to Tyneside.

The £500 North-East prize could go to Gateshead Harrier Karen Hind, a surprise race-winner in 2001.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle will start tonight's race at 7pm and the leaders are expected to reach Blaydon - outside the Geordie Ridley pub - at 7.26pm