ANDY Vernon is hoping to improve on his Great South Run debut by continuing his fine form on his return the south coast.

The former Stubbington Green runner, who was born in Fareham, finished fourth in 49:21 last year.

He is hoping for less wind and a continuation of the form that saw him win his first senior individual track medals at the European Championships two months ago.

Vernon is a higher-profile athlete than this time last year, after winning 10,000m silver (28:06.66) and 5,000m bronze (14:09) in Zurich in August.

“I had a lot of support last year and even more people know of me now,” said the Pompey fan.

“As a kid I would come down to Southsea for the skate park and to swim at the Pyramids so I’ve been looking forward to this for a while!”

The 28-year-old will again be up against the 2013 winner, Emmanuel Bett. He said: “We were unlucky to have a very windy day last year but I know I’m capable of running 47:23 – that was my ten-mile split in the Great North half marathon six weeks ago - and I would like to run sub 47.

“I hope to win. I’ve just got to go out there and see what I’ve got on the day.”

The 25,000-strong field for the 25th Great South Run also includes Daniele Meucci, the 2014 European Marathon Champion and Michael Shelley, the 2014 Commonwealth Games Marathon Champion.

“This is a solid race good for building the base through the winter for the summer season and hopefully it’ll be an annual event for me,” added Vernon.