BRITISH athletics chiefs have backed down and will allow Yvonne Murray

to run the 1500 metres at the Europa Cup in Rome. Murray was originally

named for the 3000m, despite having told the British Athletic Federation

she wished to run the metric mile.

Faced with Murray's withdrawal, BAF blamed a communications breakdown,

and switched Murray with original 1500m selection Alison Wyeth.

Lochmaben 5-mile road race: 1, C Heaven (Annan) 24-13; 2, J Fergusson

25-12; 3, J McConnachie (both Dumfries RC) 25-35. Veteran: D Chadderton

(DRC) 25-49. Women: 1, C Lege (Annan) 32-27; 2, B McPherson (veteran,

DRC) 35-47; 3, I Williams (unattached) 41-32.