24-05-2008, 06:26 PM
Organisers are hoping super-vet Martin Rees will compete in this summer's Bupa Great Wales Run after his marvelous age 55 world 10 kilometres record last Sunday.
The 55-year-old Corus athlete posted a time of 32minutes 17seconds at the Bupa Great Manchester Run when also going through five kilometres and five miles with world best-ever performances.
Rees, who has bounced back to top form after a serious knee injury almost brought his career to a halt a few years ago, was a revelation amongst the record 31,000 field of elite and leisure runners.
His stunning display in the UK's biggest 10km road race, saw him strike an impressive 22 seconds from the previous mark set by Alberto Rungger which the Italian achieved on May 4 in Innsbruck.
Now Rees is set to receive a personal invitation to compete in the second Bupa Great Wales Run which will take place in Cardiff on Sunday, July 27.
"I believe as organisers of one of the world's largest road running programmes and certainly the biggest in this country, we should recognise Martin's feat by asking him to compete in the Bupa Great Wales Run," said David Hart, the event's communications director.
"When you imagine his time at the weekend came when hindered by very strong winds in the second half of the race, it puts into perspective how brilliant it was.
"I'm not pressurising him by saying he can do it again, but the course in Cardiff is also very flat and fast like Manchester.
"Wouldn't it be great to see him set a world record on home soil and in front of Welsh fans?"
The 55-year-old Corus athlete posted a time of 32minutes 17seconds at the Bupa Great Manchester Run when also going through five kilometres and five miles with world best-ever performances.
Rees, who has bounced back to top form after a serious knee injury almost brought his career to a halt a few years ago, was a revelation amongst the record 31,000 field of elite and leisure runners.
His stunning display in the UK's biggest 10km road race, saw him strike an impressive 22 seconds from the previous mark set by Alberto Rungger which the Italian achieved on May 4 in Innsbruck.
Now Rees is set to receive a personal invitation to compete in the second Bupa Great Wales Run which will take place in Cardiff on Sunday, July 27.
"I believe as organisers of one of the world's largest road running programmes and certainly the biggest in this country, we should recognise Martin's feat by asking him to compete in the Bupa Great Wales Run," said David Hart, the event's communications director.
"When you imagine his time at the weekend came when hindered by very strong winds in the second half of the race, it puts into perspective how brilliant it was.
"I'm not pressurising him by saying he can do it again, but the course in Cardiff is also very flat and fast like Manchester.
"Wouldn't it be great to see him set a world record on home soil and in front of Welsh fans?"