The European and Commonwealth medallist opens her domestic campaign in Manchester this weekend

Lynsey Sharp, who was Great Britain s No.1 female 800m runner in 2014, has decided to open her season over two laps in the first British Milers Club Grand Prix meeting for 2015 in Trafford on Saturday (May 16).

The 24-year-old Scot, who finished runner-up in both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships last year, joins a strong domestic entry also including GB international Alison Leonard, Scottish international Katy Brown and Adelle Tracey.

It is great that Lynsey will be running her first 800m of the season at Trafford,” said meeting organiser Steve Green.

I was already very pleased with the response to the women s 800m with a strong British entry plus New Zealand runner Katherine Marshall, who has said she is aiming for 1:59, but Lynsey s entry is a real bonus and it will be great to see her in action.”

Sharp opened her track season in the United States last month, clocking 55.16 for the 400m in the NTC Pure Sprint Elite meeting in Clermont, Florida. Last year she opened her season in the BMC Grand Prix at Watford, winning the B race as she felt her way back after injuries wrecked her 2013 campaign.

Former 1:44.98 man Gareth Warburton heads the entry for the men s 800m in what will be his first race outdoors at the distance since last July. Among his rivals will be Richard Charles, Jamie Webb and Theo Bundell.

James Brewer is an intriguing entry in the men s 1500m, the former British international having taken a sabbatical from the track last year. Joining him in the field will be BUCS cross-country champion and World Cross runner Jonny Hay plus Trafford favourite James Bowness.

Wales champion Melissa Courtney, who made significant progress last summer, will be hoping to run close to 4:10 in the metric mile and will be pushed hard by Alex Bell, Montana Jones and Kathryn Gillespie.

In the longer events the meeting opens with an intriguing women s 3000m steeplechase featuring Commonwealth Games seventhplacer Racheal Bamford.

The 5000m features English Cross Country silver medallist Andy Heyes and John McDonnell of Luton, while the women s event has a strong local flavour with Stockport s Northern cross-country champion Elle Vernon heading the entries alongside Katie Brough of Vale Royal.

The action begins at 5.15pm and admission is 4 for spectators.

A timetable and startlists for the event can be found here

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