Best of British to compete at Sainsbury's Birmingham Grand Prix

The biggest names in  British athletics will line up at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on 7 June when Mo Farah (handicap -6.7), who is sitting at the top of the National Ladder will be joined by the likes of Olympic, European and Commonwealth long jump champion Greg Rutherford and world and former Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu as well as a raft of others at the top of the National Ladder.

British record holder Rutherford will face a top class long jump field and is anticipating an exciting event at the Alexander Stadium.

Rutherford said: “I love competing in Birmingham and I can’t wait for the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix. It’s a World Championships year and I’m determined to win the only major title that I’m missing from my cabinet. Everything is geared to that aim and if I can beat my main rivals in Birmingham in June it will set me up perfectly for the rest of the year.”

2008 Olympic champion Ohuruogu, who set a new British record of 49.41 as she regained the 400m world title in Moscow in 2013, will race against newly crowned European indoor bronze medallist Seren Bundy-Davies (Stephen Ball) as she looks to get her season off to a strong start.

She said: “The Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix will be really important for me to make sure I start my season well. Defending my title at the World Championships in Beijing is the main target for 2015 but I want to run well in every race, especially on home soil in front of British fans. I’m excited to pull my spikes on and get back out on the track.”

A total of 24 GB & NI internationals have confirmed their participation at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix including Chris O'Hare (handicap -5.8) who is sitting in 3rd on the ladder and will join Mo in the 1500m and Guy Learmonth (handicap -5.6) who is currently in 4th and will race over two laps in the 800m.

The current leader on the women's ladder is road and cross country specialist, Gemma Steel (handicap -2.4) but 2nd and 3rd spots are currently taken by Jenny Meadows (handicap -1.9) and Laura Muir (handicap -1.6) respectively. Both Jenny and Laura will race over 800m at the Grand Prix.

A full list of British athletes confirmed as competing is below:

To buy tickets to the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix visit britishathletics.org.uk. Sainsbury’s is proud to be a long-term supporter of British Athletics and a champion of inclusive sport for all, from grassroots to elite level.