SUNDERLAND’S Aly Dixon has been named in the Great Britain squad for the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen later this month.

Dixon finished third in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, which was a trial race for selection in the championships, and will join winner Susan Partridge in the Danish capital at the end of the month.

And although the Reading race did not go the way she planned, with the wind posing a problem, she was relieved that the selectors kept faith in the Sunderland Stroller.

“The weather on the day was terrible and affected my time, so to still get the nod was great,” said Dixon last night. “It showed that they do have faith in me. To run for my country will be a proud moment and I’m delighted to get the chance.”

Dixon will not take part in any half-marathons before or after the championships, as she plans to use a few 10k events as training, with selection for the Commonwealth Games in the marathon still high on her agenda.

Her time of 2.31.08 from last April’s Brighton Marathon is already in the bank and has not been bettered by an English woman so far, and with three due to be selected for the Commonwealth Games - one of which will be the London Marathon winner provided she finishes under 2.35 - Dixon is in pole position.

The Silksworth runner planned to run in the capital in April, but her selection for the World Championships in the shorter distance has made her rethink.

“The Commonwealths are the big one for this year,” said the 35-year-old. “It’s going to be a nervous six weeks. London is in April and it would be too soon after the World Championships. I have to consider my age and I don’t want to do anything that would jeopardise that.

“It’s not worth the risk.”

In the unlikely event that she is overlooked for Commonwealth selection, Dixon will compete in the European Athletics Championships in Zurich in August.