KATHY BAILEY has marked her return to the top end of British athletics just in time for the Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday, October 12.

The Havant AC runner, pictured, who hails from the New Forest, finished tenth woman and fourth British finisher at the recent Great North Run, which brought a world record performance from UK golden girl Paula Radcliffe.

Bailey finished ten minutes adrift of Radcliffe in 75 minutes and 17 seconds - her second best time half-marathon time ever and her fastest for several years.

It was quite achievement considering her last outing at Newcastle had been ten years earlier when she won the inaugural British Half Marathon Championships.

Bailey said: "It was a very undulating course. The Portsmouth half-marathon is a lot easier because of the relatively flat surface."

Since entering the veteran age category earlier this year, Bailey has dominated the local scene. The Colin Goater-coached runner has celebrated wins at the Mersea Island 10 and the Norwich City Half Marathon - the latter earning her the title of British Veteran Champion.