Entries are now being taken for next years popular mass participation event The Great Winter Run, a 5k multi terrain trail run for runners of all abilities which will take place within the grounds of Holyrood Park.

Edinburgh will host the event for the second time on Saturday 14th January after a successful debut this year with over 800 entries to the event.

The day will also see one of the most established cross country meetings in Europe visit the city. The Great Edinburgh International Cross Country is expected to once again welcome a field of world class international athletes for three elite races that will be televised live on BBC Grandstand.

Dozens of household names have won the event over the years including World Marathon Champion Paula Radcliffe, World 5,000m and 10,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) and Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 3rd in the 5000m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens last year.

Nova International the sports marketing company managed by former Olympic bronze medallist Brendan Foster, will organise the event in partnership with EventScotland, Scottish Athletics and City of Edinburgh Council. Foster comments that “the relocation of the International Cross Country to Edinburgh was an outstanding success. We're really excited about the 2006 event. With three televised International cross country races featuring some of the world's top athletes and a programme of supporting events all staged against the spectacular backdrop of the City of Edinburgh it promises to be a great day."

This event is part of City of Edinburgh’s FutureSport programme. Entries are currently being taken on line at www.greatrun.org.