TWO-time champion Martin Lel has announced he plans to defend his title at the Bupa 30th Great North Run next month.

The Kenyan former world half marathon champion, 29, will take on legendary Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, twice Olympic 10,000m champion, and American Dathan Ritzenhein, who won the bronze medal at last years World Half Marathon Championships, in the race on September 19.