Kiprop won Commonwealth 10,000m gold in March

Eritrean Tadesse, the Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist, and Uganda's Kiprop are targeting Haile Gebrselassie's mark of 27 minutes 25 seconds.

Tadesse said: "Trying to beat Haile's record was one of my thoughts - I just hope the weather is good.

Kiprop said: "Even if the weather is poor, I'm sure it'll be a fast time."

Australia's Benita Johnson admits the calibre of Ethiopian duo Berhane Adere and Gete Wami makes them favourites in the women's event.

But the 27-year-old former world cross country champion said: "I never go into a race thinking they have an advantage because they are from Africa.

"It's going to be a hard race to beat them and of course the others - this is the best strength-in-depth field of the year anywhere.

"But I know it is possible and I firmly believe I am in my best shape for a long, long time."

While Adere will be aiming to match her victory in the inaugural 2003 race, Jelena Prokopcuka, winner in Edinburgh, will also be looking to improve on her second place last year.

Domestic hopes of a top-three placing in either race seem remote.

Commonwealth marathon bronze medallists Dan Robinson and Liz Yelling are both stepping down in distance to tackle world class opposition.

"I'm not going to win in Manchester where the field is pretty awesome," said Robinson. "But it is a good place to start racing again."

Chris Davies, who ran the fastest 10km time by a Briton last May at this venue, is expected to place well in Manchester.