DOCTOR Rob Hand is refusing to make any hasty diagnosis of his chances when he defends his half marathon title next week.

The GP, who won the 21st Somerfield Redcar Half Marathon last year, will be among the favourites to win the major event, also sponsored by The Northern Echo, on Sunday, March 9.

Dr Hand, who practices just outside Durham and runs for Durham City Harriers, won last year's race in a personal best time of 67 minutes and 55 seconds.

Now as he prepares for his fourth Redcar Half Marathon the 41-year-old said: "I was really pleased with that, it was in the middle of my training for the London Marathon and it went really well.

"This year I'm not doing the marathon so my training isn't as much and that could tell in the later stages. I'm using the race in the build-up to my next aim - the track season. I'm a 5,000-metre runner."

The Redcar event, which attracts hundreds of runners, a mix of top club athletes and fun runners, incorporates the North East Championships on a circular route of flat roads, cycleways and pavements.

Organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Events Team, with primary sponsors supermarket Somerfield, there is a £1,500 prize fund, with a guaranteed T-shirt and medal available to all runners at the finish.

Closing date for postal entries, who must all be over-18 on the day of the race, is today.

Fees are £10.50 for club members, £11.50 for unattached. Entry on the day is an extra £1 with late registration from 8.30am. Forms are available on the council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk