ENGLAND 5,000 metres champion Elisha Tait makes her international debut when she lines up in the Manchester International at the Regional Arena on August 18.

The Gateshead endurance athlete lines up in a match against teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, GB under-18 and under-20 squads and a National Athletics League selection.

Fellow Gateshead athletes Joy Eze and David Race also make the trip to the North West together with North Shields Poly’s James Wordsworth. Eze, the European Junior bronze medalist, represents GB&NI under-18s over her favoured 100m and is also named in the under-20 4x100m relay squad while, in the same age group, Race contests the 1500m. Wordsworth, the current National discus champion, takes his place in the GB&NI under-20 team. Congratulations to you all and good luck.

Good luck also to all the North East athletes heading for Sportcity, Manchester this weekend for the England under-15/17 Championships.