The Commonwealth Games Marathon Champion from 2010 will line up at the Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon on October 14th. John Kelai of Kenya won the title two years ago in blistering Delhi heat.

John Kelai pictured after winning the Commonwealth title for the Marathon

Lee Merrien (Newham & Essex Beagles) was the first Briton to finish in the Olympic Marathon and will also race in Cardiff. The pair will be amongst a strong elite field which includes the defending champion Edwin Kiptoo.

In the women’s race, Ethiopians Kidst Yicenecku and Etaferahu Tarekegn will battle it out with Kenyan trio Edinah Kwambai, Jane Muia and Eunice Kales, who will appear in Cardiff fresh from her Swansea 10k victory last month.

The event will incorporate the Welsh Half Marathon Championships and will form the final fixture in the 2012 Run Wales Series. Both factors should improve the standard amongst Welsh athletes with Swansea Harriers duo Dewi Griffiths and Caryl Jones expected to feature. Caryl finished 10th at the World Half Marathon Championships in Bulgaria last weekend.

Aberdare's Richard Gardiner was the Commonwealth Trail Running Champion last October and is also due to race.

The event which starts on Castle Street at 9am is expected to attract 30,000 spectators along its route around Cardiff, before finishing in the Civic Centre at around 10am.