Radcliffe on course for world defence

Radcliffe will be relieved that Adere is staying away

Paula Radcliffe remains on course to successfully defend her IAAF World Cross Country title after her main rival for the crown pulled out.

With former champions Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami already confirmed as absentees from the starting field, Ethiopa's Berhane Adere had been tipped by Radcliffe to produce the main threat.

But on Thursday Adere, the world 10,000 metre silver medallist, opted not to take part.

Former world marathon record holder and compatriot Tegla Loroupe gave her reasons for Adere's absence from the event in Dublin.

"(Adere) didn't do the Ethiopian trials so they did not pick her," said Loroupe.

"Instead she will run in the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday."

Adere was not interested in running in the worlds

Volker Wagner
Adere's manager

Radcliffe now remains the clear favourite, having finished in fourth place behind Tulu, Adere and Wami in last August's track World Championships.

Adere's manager, Volker Wagner, insisted that the 28-year-old had no interest in running in the tough conditions expected on Saturday.

Wagner explained: "Adere was not interested in running in the worlds.

"She does love cross country and thoroughly enjoyed winning on the Algarve last month. But that was in warm weather.

"There is no way she feels she can perform at her best in cold weather and muddy conditions."

Adere will instead compete in Lisbon before tackling the full marathon distance in the autumn.

Radcliffe won the World Cross Country title in Ostend, Belgium, last year.