Athletics: Big names don't scare Stephanie; SPOTLIGHT ON ATHLETICS.

Byline: By Peter Cranston

STEPHANIE TWELL insists she will not be intimidated by rivals' reputations when she takes on some of the world's top runners in Edinburgh today.

The 19-year-old, who has been likened to a young Paula Radcliffe, is the top UK runner in an awesome field for the 5.6-kilometre race at the city's International Cross County event in Holyrood Park.

Ethiopian Mestawat Tufa and Kenya's Linet Masai - the silver and bronze medallists when Edinburgh hosted the IAAF World Championships last March - are in the line-up along with the world 5000m silver medallist Vivian Cheruiyot, also from Kenya.

Twell showed her promise last year, narrowly missing out on third place behind Cheruiyot, the favourite who was beaten by Gelete Burka and Masai.

And the British runner, who has just moved up to the full senior ranks, intends to be a force again.

She said: "My race here last year was a big eye opener - not to give anyone any respect. I want to take no prisoners and do the same this time.

"I don't stereotype any Africans to be unbeatable."

It was an encouraging start to the year and although Twell missed the World Cross Country Championships with a back injury, she won the world junior 1500m title on the track then just missed out on making the final over the same distance at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Looking back to 2008, she said: "I had a wonderful year after my race here in January but unfortunately I picked up a serious back injury, which meant I had to miss the World Cross Country.

"That's why I want to come back and do well in Edinburgh. I'm going to give it my best shot and I'm not thinking any negative spin.

"I'm really excited.I think it's a quality field and I love being competitive."

Scot Andrew Lemoncello and Nick McCormick represent Britain in the men's 8.9km, which is likely to be dominated by Africans, led by former world champion Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea.

Fastest Tadese has had to settle for two runner-up spots and a third place in previous years behind Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, who cannot chase a fourth win because of injury.

Britain's Andrew Baddeley, the world's fastest miler last year, returns to defend his 4km crown, which he won by a whisker from Andy Vernon 12 months ago with a late sprint to the line.

Tom Lancashire, another 2012 Olympic Games hopeful, has embarked on a full-time athletics career and should also challenge.

CAPTION(S):

STEPH UP: World junior champ Twell is now a senior