LUKE Gunn (left) faces arguably the most important race of his career so far at the National Championships and Beijing trials on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Derby steeplechaser has to finish in the top two of the 3000m event to stand a chance of making the Olympic team.

That would leave him with a week to shave four seconds off his personal best to reach the Olympic A standard time of 8.24.60.

Gunn's current PB of 8mins 28.48secs was set at the BMC Grand Prix in Solihull in Bedford two weeks ago.

He will be battling against the same three rivals who competed with him in that race.

Andrew Lemoncello, Stuart Stokes and Adam Bowden also harbour Olympic aspirations and will all feel they have as much chance as Gunn of making the top two at Birmingham.

Kilburn shot-putter Rebecca Peake will also be at the trials but is unlikely to make the Olympic squad.

Although ranked second in the country, she is some way off the qualification distance needed for Beijing.

Gunn's race starts at 6.45pm on Sunday, while Peake is in action at 2.40pm tomorrow.