BLACKBURN Harriers' American exile Michael Green will run his second marathon in October, and he is going right to the top by asking Ron Hill for his advice.

Ron won the Commonwealth Games Marathon at Edinburgh in 1970 in 2 hours 9 minutes and 28 seconds which is still in the top ten British Marathon times.

The Clayton legend hasn't missed a day's training since 1964 and is currently chasing a target of racing in 100 different countries by the time he reaches 70.

Michael who went to Alabama in 1997 to study at Troy State University, had cherished hopes of running in this year's Commonwealth Games Marathon.

In December he finished fifth in the Huntsville Times Rocket City Marathon in 2:26:05.

He said: " I was happy, but know that with better preparation I can go much faster.

"I probably should have run my first marathon a long time ago, which may have set me up for a realistic shot at the Commonwealths.

"As it was, I quickly realised that time was too short."

His second outing over the 26.2 miles distance is likely to be in Hartford, Connecticut in the North East of the USA on October 12 - his 26th birthday.

"It's a good course and usually has some low 2:20 guys in it," said Michael.

"Although I think it is dangerous to make predictions, 2:20 is the next logical target for me.

"If and when I crack 2:20, I'll consider maybe coming home and doing the London Marathon in April for a fast time."

Michael was impressed with the performances of Britons Paula Radcliffe and Mark Steinle in this year 's London.

"Whatever Steinle is doing is working.

"I wish I could find out because I don't really know how to train for marathons, aside from some basic common sense stuff.

"I think I need to get in touch with some experienced coaches."

Michael has followed through by contacting Ron Hill who is in the process of constructing his reply.

Ron admitted: "Running a marathon is a painful experience but you have to keep going through the pain.

"If you combine the right training with careful planning, you know you have the physical endurance inside you to withstand the hardship.

"The rest is in the mind."

At the beginning of this month, Michael beat his road PB for 10K which he had set when winning the Ribble Valley 10K in Clitheroe when he was last back in England in 1999.

This time he wasn't a winner, finishing only 43rd, but in a huge field of 50,000 runners. That was in the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta, Georgia where he clocked 30:55.

Maybe he'll manage a run the Ribble Valley 10K again this year as he is hoping to come home for Christmas.

"I really miss running through the muddy fields in Great Harwood!

"Over here the temperature reaches the 90s most days at the moment."