By Ross Brewster

Last updated 11:37, Tuesday, 15 April 2008

MORE than 1500 runners from 14 nations take part in the Puma Hawkshead Trail on Sunday.

The field also includes some “mystery” Kenyans and even the chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, Richard Leafe.

Last year’s event knocked the London Marathon off the top spot as the “Best Running Event in the UK”, according to a national poll by running magazine Runnersworld.

Kendal based organisers VO2 Max Events received their award in London last Thursday from Olympic silver medallist Kathleen Merry.

The 15km Trail Race and Challenge sold out months ago, with competitors travelling from all over the world to take part, including Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Uganda, USA, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Ireland.

With over £2000 of cash and sports product on offer in prizes, the men’s race favourite, course record holder and twice UK Cross Country Champion, Steve Vernon (Stockport Harriers) will be hoping for a hat trick of wins as he faces some World class opposition.

Little is known about the quartet of Kenyan athletes registered, but Andi Jones (Salford Harriers), ninth in last year’s London Marathon and fresh from representing GB in the World Cross, and James Walsh (Leeds City AC), British Universities Cross Country Champion and also a GB World Cross representative present the stronger British contenders.

Others to watch include former European Mountain Running Champion Martin Cox (Bristol & West AC) returning to the UK from his Italian Alpine home, British Fell Running Champion Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley AC), and UK 3000m Champion Simon Deakin (Leeds City AC). Local hopes rest with Ricky Lightfoot (Ellenborough AC) and young fell runner Tom Addison (Helm Hill Runners)

In the women’s race there is little to choose between course record holder and former World Mountain Running Champion, Vic Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers), the winter sensation Sarah Tunstall (Kendal AC) winner of European Cross team gold in December, 2006 winner Mary Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers), recently back from altitude training in Ethiopia, and GB International Olivia Walwyn (Altrincham & District AC) The two Kenyan girls registered may prove a surprise too.

Entries can be made on the day for the shorter 4km Bridgedale Sport Trail (start 10.30am), and for the children’s Fun Trails (start 15.30). The event is supporting the local charities Coniston Mountain Rescue and Barrow Dads’ group.