Over 200 of them are forecast to descend upon the Scottish capital to watch Tadese in an eagerly awaited 9.3 kilometres head-to-head contest with his Ethiopian rival who he beat for the world cross country title last March.

Tadese said: "I'll be trying very hard to beat him - but yes, I am more worried about not letting down my 200 Eritrean supporters who are coming from different parts of Britain to support me.

"It is very important I show them a good race whatever the result. My training has gone really well so I hopeful I can do that."

Tadese's victory in Mombasa denied the Olympic and world 10000 metres champion, the milestone achievement of winning a record sixth long course title.

Bekele dropped out of the race with stomach cramps and suffering from the heat and humidity, saw a sequence of 27 cross country victories stretching over six years dissolved.

The unexpected setback prevented Bekele celebrating overhauling the five victories achieved firstly by John Ngugi and then his fellow Kenyan Paul Tergat, when falling unexpectedly to the sword of his African rival.

Now the pair meet in their first cross country clash since that remarkable encounter - although Tadese wants the non-championship confrontation put into perspective.

"Please now let's just concentrate on Saturday and not talk about the world championships," said the 21-year-old star, although determined to retain his crown when Edinburgh hosts them on March 30.

"Tomorrow is what I am thinking about and there isn't a problem facing Bekele. We've had some great races together - I'm sure this will be another."

"Edinburgh is always one of the toughest races in the world and one that after racing three times, I really want to win," said Tadese.

Tadese since the country's top cross country relocated north of the border from Newcastle in 2005, has placed sixth, third and second in the Scottish capital.

The IAAF's world road running champion for the last two years, added: "Winning is important to me and Bekele will as always, be very strong."

Bekele who pushed Tadese into fourth place when they last faced each other in last summer's world 10000m championships, will be chasing a third consecutive Edinburgh victory.

But for his shock Mombasa loss he has dominated all levels of cross country competitions since fellow Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie beat him in Dunkirk in 2001.

Tomorrow will be his only appearance on the Cross circuit before returning to Edinburgh in March, hoping to chalk up a sixth world cross success and better the number of victories held by Ngugi and Tergat.

Former race winner Eliud Kipchoge, and his fellow Kenyans Jospeh Ebuya and Patrick Makau-Musyoki plus American's Dathan Ritzhenhein and Jorge Torres, will be attempting to upset the two favourites.

Gelete Burka will be aiming to win the women's race for the third successive occasion and, after succeeding inaugural champion Tirunesh Dibaba the world 10000m champion, keep the title in Ethiopian hands.

Vivian Cheruiyot finished runner-up behind her a year ago, but the Kenyan has come on immensely since, running the world's second fastest-ever 5000m and claiming the world silver medal over the distance in the summer.

Cheruiyot is also fetching a winning sequence to Holyrood Park, having won the Madrid Sao Silvestre 10km road race on New Year's eve and defended her Amorebieta cross title last Sunday.

Her training partner, the reigning world junior champion Linet Masai with three pre-Christmas wins under her belt, will also be a major threat in the 6.7km event.

Former European champion Hayley Yelling, her sister-in-law Liz Yelling and Kathy Butler all seasoned British internationals, head the domestic challenge.

Stephanie Twell who defended her European junior title last month and Emily Pidgeon another with 2012 London Olympic Games ambitions, have leapt at the opportunity of competing at senior level.

The men's domestic 4.3km fetches together former Commonwealth 1500m champion Michael East and Andy Baddeley who has taken over the reins as British Number One in the last two years.

East has suffered a bout of injuries during this period but is determined to prepare himself and gain an Olympic place. In Athens four years ago, he was Britain's only individual male track finalist.

http://www.greatrun.org/onrunning/news_article.asp?id=4696

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