Mikitenko returns to the big time at the Great North Run

Irina Mikitenko will compete in the Great North Run on 19 September.

Germany’s Irina Mikitenko, the second fastest European marathon runner ever with 2:19.19 to her name, will contest a major road race for the first time since she dropped out of this year’s London Marathon when she competes in the Bupa 30th Great North Run on 19 September.

The half marathon race in the north east of England will act as high class preparation for her appearance at the Chicago Marathon on 9 October, after Mikitenko finished second there last year.

Mikitenko, the London Marathon winner in 2008 and 2009, was aiming for a hat trick of victories in the British capital last April but suffered a calf injury and had to drop out just before the halfway point.

She has since proved that she has recovered her fitness by wining several shorter road races up to 10km and also, on the track, Mikitenko finished ninth at the European Cup 10000m in June.

Mikitenko, who celebrated her 38th birthday on 23 August, has a personal of 68:51 for the half marathon. Her super-fast personal best in the marathon - she is one of only seven women in the world to have run under the 2:20 barrier - came on home soil in Berlin two years ago.

On the European women’s marathon all-time rankings, only Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe is faster than her with the world and continental record of 2:15:25 set in 2003.

One of Mikitenko’s main rivals in the Great North Run should be Portugal’s Jessica Augusto, who won last year’s race in a personal best of 69:08.

Augusto also won the 10000m bronze medal at this summer’s European Athletics Championships.

“My win a year ago was the biggest of my career. Now, I've had a good summer's track season and the speed I have built up will also help me (at the Great North Run). Obviously after winning the race last year I will be aiming for another win,” said the 28-year-old Portuguese runner recently.