HAMPSHIRE’S Chris Thompson is aiming to become only the second man to successfully defend the Great South run title.

The 36 year-old beat Aldershot & Farnham teammate Andy Vernon in an exciting finish last year.

Now he is focused on becoming the first man to win back-to-back GSR titles since Gary Staines, a 5,000m Olympian in 1988, who achieved the feat in 1993/94.

Mo Farah is the only other British man to have won the world’s leading ten-mile race, in 2009.

But another open field means Thompson has a good chance to join Staines in the record books.

He said: “It’s a shame Andy Vernon’s not here but it’s going to be another competitive race as it always is.

“Winning last year meant a lot and hopefully I can defend it like Gary.

“His coach [Alan Storey] is now my coach and says one of the most under-rated performances of Gary’s career was the first one he won here [in 46:11].”

Thompson has no shortage of experience of the Portsmouth course.

“I’ve lost count but it’s probably my sixth or seventh,” he said.

“I have a lot of memories of this race for one reason or another.

“I’ve had some good runs, some horrific runs and some ugly runs.

“It’s going to be another eventful run no matter what happens.

“Conditions always play a part and Sunday will be no different.”

Thompson, who ran 47:23 last year, recently won the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run and Robin Hood Half Marathon.

“I think it will take a similar performance to last year to win it,” he said.

“[English National cross country champion] Ben Connor’s a similar standard to Andy Vernon and Matt Sharp had a stormer last year to finish third.

“It could end up being a very tough race to win, so I’m not taking anything for granted.”

The women’s field features GB stars Gemma Steel, who is aiming to go one better than her second place in 2014, and Charlotte Purdue, who finished third in 2013.

But the event’s biggest challenge will be undertaken by the inspirational Claire Lomas MBE.

Daily Echo:

Claire Lomas MBE with baby daughter Chloe and members of her support team

The 37 year-old, who is a paraplegic as a result of a riding accident in 2007, will be attempting to complete the course in under 24 hours - in a robotic suit.  

Claire completed the 2012 London Marathon in 17 days and last year’s Great North Run in five with the help of the 'ReWalk' suit.

She will be wearing it again to complete the ten-mile Southsea course, which she was determined to start at 10am this morning, despite the weather, as she aims to raise more money for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.

Claire, from Leicestershire, said: “This is a little bit different to my other challenges! I thought the Great North [half marathon] would be the last.

“Then I got this daft idea. I’ll be moving slower than most people’s walking pace. Every bump is an obstacle and the weather won’t help.

“I don’t think I’ve looked at the forecast so often! But I’ll be at the finish.

“I’m not thinking about the ten miles, I’ll focus on going from lamp post to lamp post.

“I’ve worked really hard in training, I’m pleased with how it’s gone and don’t feel I could have done a lot more.

“When you can’t feel three quarters of your body and haven’t got any muscle it’s harder. In the suit I can’t feel the ground beneath me but I’ll see if I can put enough together to make ten miles.”

The mum of two young has a support team made up of family members. “My girls will be going back but 12 of us will be walking through the night - we’ve got loads of good tunes to bang out!

“They’re brilliant, I couldn’t do it without them walking by my side to give me a windshield! Hopefully I don’t get blown over!"

More Great South Run previews in this weekend's Sports Pink