Brown poised for Wales homecoming

Brown is preparing for the World Championships in August

British distance runner Jon Brown is set to compete in his country of birth for the first time in 20 years.

Brown, who has finished fourth in the last two Olympic Games marathons, is returning to Wales to run in the 10km BUPA Great Wales Run on Sunday 29 July.

The Canada-based athlete, 36, said: "I was born in Kenfig Hill near Bridgend, and lived there until I was 10.

"My mother was Welsh so I had lots of family there. My dad is still living in Kenfig Hill."

He added: "I have run in Wales before - the last time was over 20 years ago when I was a kid.

"I ran a schools international there once (for England) and also the Welsh Cross Country Championships when I was around 15, which I won."

After leaving Wales as a youngster, Borwn was raised in Yorkshire and chose to represent England.

He gained Canadian citizenship in 2005 but continues to represent Great Britain, and has already been selected to run in the marathon at this this year's World Championships in Japan (25 August to 2 September).

"Some years back I did express an interest in running for Wales in the Commonwealth Games at 10,000m," he revealed.

"But they weren't interested as I hadn't run their championships for the two previous years - even though I was the fastest in the UK that year."

Despite turning his back on his Welsh roots, Brown argues his 10,000m time of 27 minutes 18.14 seconds should stand a Welsh record as it beats Steve Jones' time by some 20 seconds.

"Steve Jones would dispute that, but the fact is that I am Welsh," said Brown, whose time remains a British record.

Jones, 52, will also be running in the 10k race in Cardiff, with organisers expecting a field of 8,000 professional and amateur runners to take part.

The women's event is scheduled to see 2004 Team GB Olympic marathon representatives Liz Yelling and Tracey Morris compete.