Autumn Grand Prix races get underway on this weekend

The fourth race in the runbritain Grand Prix  takes place this Sunday  at the 30th edition of the Cardiff 10k, kicking off the autumn series of the Grand Prix.

The field, at Cardiff, is the strongest for some years. Entries include Emma Stepto (handicap -0.4) who is currently leading the women's Grand Prix with 733 points after competing in all three races so far and finishing 4th at the Vitality Reading Half Marathon, 12th at the  Bupa London 10,000 and 5th at the Bristol 10k.

Lily Partridge (handicap -1.4) who currently has 350 points after winning the Vitality Reading Half Marathon in 70:31, is also on the start list along with several Aldershot club mates including Louise Small (handicap  -0.3) who currently has 242 points after finishing 9th in the Bupa London 10,000 and Georgie Bruinvells (handicap 0.3) who is currently 2nd in the women's standings with 728 points, after having run all three races so far (6th at Reading, 11th at London, 8th at the Bristol 10k).

Michelle Ross –Cope (handicap -1.0) is the fastest athlete on paper with a best of 32.41. She currently has 249 points from her 2nd place at Bristol. Rachel Felton (handicap -0.2), who is currently 6th with 493 points (6th at London and 3rd at Bristol), is the defending Cardiff 10k Champion and Faye Fullerton (handicap -1.3) is currently in 7th with 492 points (7th at Reading and 3rd at London).

Other contenders are Lauren Deadman (handicap -1.0) with 247 points after finishing 4th at the Bupa London 10,000; Jenny Spink (handicap -0.2) also with 247 points for 4th at Bristol and Kate Hulls (handicap 0.7) who has 239 points for 12th at Reading.

John Beattie (handicap -4.9) is the current leader in the men's standings with 1035 points after competing in all three races so far and earning bonus points for fast times at the Reading Half Marathon (64:48) and the Bupa London 10,000 (29:28). He will line up, at Cardiff, along with Ben Livesey (handicap -4.7) who is in 2nd with 733 points from the three races so far and Nick Torry (handicap -4.2) who is currently 3rd with 725 points from all three races.

Also registered are Dewi Griffiths (handicap -5.7) who has 445 points for 6th in the Bupa London 10,000 (in 29:25) and Paul Martelletti (handicap -4.7) who is currently in 7th with 689 points from three races.

The autumn series is made up of:

Cardiff 10k - 6th September

Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon  - 4th October, incorporating British Championships

Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 10k - 15th November, incorporating English Championships

Grand Prix points are awarded for the first 250 finishing positions in the six races that are in the series. 250 points are awarded to the first British finisher, down to 1 point for the 250th British finisher and there are extra points available for fast times. Up to the best four scores from the six available races count at the end of the series. If the athlete scores points in less than four Grand Prix events, their best two, three or single score will count towards the final standings. Prize money totals £18,000 and is shared by the top 10 male and female British runners at the end of the series.