A SOLDIER will not be defending his title in the sixteenth annual Loftus Christmas Poultry Run.

Craig McBurney suffered a stress fracture of the shin after he completed the London Marathon and is unable to take part in Sunday's event.

Craig, a colour sergeant instructor at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, grew up in Saltburn and was a member of the host club, Loftus AC, although he now runs for Morpeth AC.

Last year he left his rival trailing by an impressive 61 seconds to win the competition. Now he is tipping Morpeth clubmate Rob Holladay, a PE teacher at Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, who won the competition in 1998, to battle it out with New Marske Harrier Shaun O'Grady for the title. But he promises to be back in action next year.

The event starts at noon from Loftus Leisure Centre, where last minute entrants can register on the day to join the 500 runners lined up to tackle a revised seven mile course.

Entry fees are £7.50 for athletics club members and £8.50 for others. Further details are available from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's events team on (01642) 444373