World marathon champion Luke Kibet is determined to defend his BUPA Great South Run title in Portsmouth at the end of this month.

Kibet still remembers with pride his victory at last year's 10-mile race in Portsmouth where he powered away in the final two-and-half miles for a memorable victory.

The Kenyan, who stunned his rivals with his gold medal success in

last year's IAAF World Championships marathon, had no hesitation when offered the opportunity to chase a second successive victory on October 26.

"I'm really looking forward to running there again, it's a fast course and flat which suits my style of running," said Kibet after the recent BUPA Great North Run.

Kibet just missed out on a podium finish at the world's biggest half marathon a fortnight ago by a second but believes it marked a return to form after injury wrecked his Olympic marathon ambitions.

"I'm fully fit again and confident

I can pull off another win no matter who else is in the field. I don't think about them," added Kibet.

Andy Caine, elite athletes manager for the meeting, said: "Luke took little persuasion when I asked him to come back to Portsmouth after his excellent performance in the Great North Run.

"I'm sure he'll produce another top-notch display although it won't be easy for him. I'm hoping to confirm another two or three big names to challenge him this weekend."

The meeting will be televised live for the first time on Channel 5 and will also feature the return to competition of Paula Radcliffe after her disappointing performance at the Olympic Games in August.

The world marathon record holder faces Jo Pavey who transformed herself from a track specialist into a world-class road runner with her Great South Run victory two years ago.

Pavey, the first Briton to win since Liz McColgan eight years earlier, saw her time of 52 minutes 46 seconds, move her into fifth position on the UK All-Time list.

Now after a battling display when she narrowly lost out on winning the Great North Run, Pavey will be aiming to consolidate her reputation in the eagerly awaited head-to-head with Radcliffe,