The race will be Holmes' first in Britain since Athens

The 800m and 1500m gold medallist is determined to win her first race on British soil since her Athens success.

"It will mean something special - I'm really tired, but it's a race I want to win," said Holmes.

The 34-year-old will also start Sunday's BUPA Great North Run, which with almost 50,000 entries is the world's biggest half-marathon.

Holmes officially closed her track season last week by winning the World Athletics 1500m final in Monaco, a win which sent her to the top of the world rankings.

She insisted: "The focus now is to finish on a high. Saturday's race will be exactly like any major championship race."

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Holmes has 15 of her family and close friends travelling up from Kent to watch her final competitive outing of the season.

She won the Great North Mile in both 2001 and 2002, but was beaten into second place last year by Turkey's Sureyya Ayhan.

Facing Holmes will be fellow British Olympians Jo Fenn, Hayley Tullett and Jo Pavey.

"I always get a great welcome from athletics fans in Newcastle, and I'm looking forward to giving them a winning performance and getting back my title," she said.

"It will be a tough race but I want to enjoy it and finish my season on a high."

Stiff test

Jon Brown, who finished fourth in the Olympic marathon, is a late entry for Sunday's race.

"Usually I don't think about running so soon after a major marathon," said Brown.

"But the four weeks I have had to recover have worked well for me."

Brown will face a stiff test from defending champion Hendrick Ramaala, who is aiming to win the race for a third time.

Julio Rey, the European marathon bronze medallist from Spain, and French number one Benoit Z are also part of an impressive line-up.

The women's title, with defending champion Paula Radcliffe not taking part, is likely to be taken overseas.

Ethiopians Berhane Adere, Derartu Tulu and Susan Chepkemei are expected to dominate.