Brewer takes on top men in Boston race

Jet-setter James Brewer has hopped over the Atlantic again this week to complete his fine-turning for the World Indoor Championships trials.

Two weeks after opening his indoor season with a 3mins 57secs mile in New York, the Cheltenham runner has moved further up the east coast for the prestigious Boston Indoor Classic staged this evening.

"I believe it is going to be a top class field because Mo Farah is running along with his American training partner Galen Rupp plus I'm sure there will be a few Africans in the field," said Brewer.

"That will be it straightforward for me because the pace will be fast so I'll get my head down and just hang in there!"

Brewer's mile time in New York is already good enough to satisfy the qualifying standard set by UK Athletics for the World Indoor Championships, but he knows that another fast time ahead of the trials in Sheffield next weekend will not only strengthen his argument for a place in the team but also boost his confidence when it comes down to what is likely to be a more tactical race in Yorkshire.

"It is all about getting to the trials in good shape to give myself the best chance of making the team," added Brewer.

West sprinter Danny Talbot won't be going to the World Indoors, not because he isn't good enough but due to the fact that the 200m is not on the timetable.

Not that the Trowbridge Tornado, who enjoyed a tremendous victory in Glasgow last weekend, is overly worried as it is the London Olympics that remain his target for 2012.

"It probably works well for me as Dan (Cossins, his coach) didn't want me to be racing too much indoors in Olympic year and wants me to get back into training and focus on the outdoors," explained Talbot.

"I have already done well but if I can improve even more over 200m in my next two races in the trials and then finally the British Student Championships that will be a great start to the year."

Chippenham sprinter Elaine O'Neill is competing at the Birmingham Indoor Games.

The main cross country action of the weekend takes place at the Exeter Arena with the South West Schools' Cross Country Championships.

The inaugural Chris Reason 5 miles trail event will be held tomorrow (11am) through Newnham Park Estate, Plympton, Plymouth. There will be no prizes or results but every finisher will get a memento. For further details call 01752 265122.

The popular Fulfords 5 miles road race in Exmouth is tomorrow (11am) and entries will be taken on the day from 9.30am at Exmouth Sports Centre. For further information see the website at: www.exmouth-harriers.co.uk

For the latest details on entries for tomorrow's Longleat 10k, which is also incorporating the first race in the new Wiltshire Road Race League, check the website at: www.209events.com.

No entries will be taken on the day for the Blackmore Vale Lions half marathon in Bishops Caundle, Dorset.

Looking further ahead, next Wednesday sees both the Street 5k (www.wellscityharriers.org.uk) and the Plymouth 3k road races (www.armadaathletics.com) take place and both events take entries on the night.