Robinson was the first British athlete home in the Great North Run

Nailsworth's Dan Robinson is hoping to run the qualifying time for two major championships in Amsterdam on Sunday.

The marathon runner is aiming for a place at both the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.

Robinson told BBC Gloucestershire: "I got a solid time at the Great North Run and this fits well with my training.

"Lots of Dutch and German runners use it as a qualifying race because they can do between two hours 10 and two hours 13 so that's why I chose it."

Robinson missed the London Marathon earlier this year and therefore was not selected for the World Championships in Berlin. He now hopes that a low-key 2009 might be beneficial in the long run.

"I've had several years battering my body and doing two races a year," he said.

"My training has been better of late and if the year can end on a high it will set me up for the two championships next year.

"If it doesn't go well then you've got to wait six months to put it right but that's the nature of the event.

"The Africans won't be at the European Championships, and while they will be at the Commonwealth Games I think I've shown I can compete against them. If I get the qualifying time on Sunday it will take the pressure off for the London Marathon next year."

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