Brownlee brothers hope to extend winning run in Chevin Chase

The world’s top two triathletes are among the 900 entries for the Christmas event received by the organisers Aire-Centre Pacers.

The Bramhope duo, who will be bidding for Olympic glory in London next year, have won the race in five of the last six years.

World champion Alistair triumphed in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 before Jonathan – the world sprint triathlon champion – led the field home last year when his elder brother was unable to compete due to illness.

The Brownlees have been great supporters of the race and have used it as part of their winter preparations for their summer triathlon programmes.

The winter conditions add to the difficulty for the runners as they tackle the seven-mile course.

The hilly multi-terrain event starts at Guiseley Infants School in Oxford Road at 11am and incorporates quiet country lanes, bridleways, rough tracks, paths, fields and stiles.

The runners usually have to contend with mud while last year the course was frozen and snow covered in places.

The presence of the Brownlees will be a massive feather in the caps for the organisers who closed entries for this year’s race last month.

The Chevin Chase, now in its 32nd year, is a hugely-popular event on the running calendar.

It’s ability to pull in world champions and club runners has become part of its appeal.

Aire-Centre Pacers’ press officer Richard Archer said: “We will be delighted if the Brownlees run in this year’s race. This is a crucial time for them as they build up to the Olympics so it is great that they are considering continuing supporting our race.

“We didn’t know if their plans would allow them to compete.

“The conditions can be tricky but Alistair and Jonathan are fully aware of that.”

He added: “They have been the dominant runners in recent years, but we have been fortunate over the years to be able to attract other top runners.

“Former Olympic marathon runner Richard Nerurkar used to be a regular competitor.”