SCOTLAND Commonwealth Games runner Hayley Haining is bidding to recapture the Brass Monkey Half Marathon women's title in York tomorrow.

The Kilbarchan AC star set the course record two years ago but didn't compete last year when Leeds-based Olympian Tracey Morris (Valley Striders) was a comfortable winner.

The men's course record was set by Ian Fisher (Otley AC), who clocked 66 minutes and nine seconds last year to break his own record for the fourth time after successes in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He did not compete in 2005.

A total of 1,200 runners have entered what has become a prestigious race which has been voted the best by runners in the Runners World magazine.

It is organised by Knavesmire Harriers whose membership secretary Jean Snelling said: "We really would like it to be voted the number one race in the 100 listings and we can do this by getting more publicity and more supporters watching."

Two hundred members of York Knavesmire Harriers will be assisting by marshalling, manning water stations, timekeeping, recording, compiling results, working as baggage attendants, organising refreshments and car parking and running the lead car with time clock.

The race starts at 10am on Bishopthorpe Road and passes through Bishopthorpe, Whinney Hills, Acaster Malbis, Appleton Roebuck, returning via Bishopthorpe to the finish at the York Racecourse grandstands.

Although none of the club's members will be in action because they are organising the event, they have been competing in the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships at Skipton where the men's team finished eighth.

They were led home by a quality run from Kim Critchley, who won the race eight years ago.

He has showen superb form all season and, although he only runs once a week, he builds up his stamina with a lot of cycling.

Critchley finished sixth after a tremendous battle with Pickering-based Darran Bilton (Leeds City), who finished eighth.

Knavesmire, who gained the highest team placing of the North Yorkshire teams, had solid runs from ever-present Cameron Brookes (51st), Richard Lawson (63rd), new team member William Kaye (84th), Dave Eiser (88th) and Neil Strange (90th).

Other Knavesmire finishers were B Atkinson (102nd), D Hendley (106th), K Langhan (118th), B Schivley (141st), M McGrath (159th), S Cook (167th), I Bithell (198th) and R Gott (206th).

Knavesmire finished 11th in the ladies' team race, being tipped to a top ten finish by Keighley.

First Harrier home was Aislinn Austin (39th) in her first cross country race. She was supported by Zoe Davies (64th), Andrea Lancaster (74th) and Margret Metcalf (102nd).

The cross country squads will now switch their attention to the Northern Championship in Manchester.