Hendrick Ramaala is eager to get into world-class action

The South African will be aiming to put the disappointment of the Olympics behind him in the world's biggest half-marathon on 26 September.

GNR athletic director Matthew Turnball said: "I've been assured Hendrick is fully recovered from the disappointment of the Olympics.

"Last year he won in 60.1 minutes which easily topped the world rankings."

Ramaala had a disappointing time in the Athens marathon when he paid for an ambitious start as the summer heat took its toll.

European marathon bronze-medallist Julio Rey is likely to be Ramaala's biggest challenger.

Academy: Guide to the Great North Run

The event will have approximately 49,000 runners taking part and Turnball feels that if the weather is favourable, the UK All-Comers' record of 59 minutes, 58 seconds could be threatened.

"Paul Kosgei set that figure two years ago in our race and Hendrick knew he could have beaten it except for his celebrations when realising he had the race sewn up," said Turnball.

"He said then he would one day come back and go for the record and there's no reason why this year inroads cannot be made into it."