Olly Freeman will swap the warm climes of the Canaries for the cold of Lancing Manor when he bids for debut glory in tomorrow's Sussex Cross Country Championships.

Freeman, a double European junior triathlon and world duathlon champion, has spent the past week in Lanzarote warm-weather training.

But he hopes to give himself an early birthday present by taking the title in the absence of injured champion Andrew Robinson (Horsham).

Freeman, who will be 20 next Wednesday, said: "I have not got much time to acclimatise to the change in temperatures.

"My training in the Canaries was not especially useful for Lancing as I spent most of the time on a bike in the heat and feel a bit tired.

"It will be my first stab at 12km and I am sure I won't be appreciating the hills on the course."

Freeman, a member of the Bodyworks (Eastbourne) running team, won the recent Sussex League match at Bexhill. He also won the East Sussex match at Warren Hill, near Beachy Head.

Freeman said: "As I have beaten a couple of runners who could do well, it makes me think that maybe I can win it."

But he revealed the county event is not a major aim this year.

He said: "I want to build my strength and stamina for triathlon. I am moving into the seniors full time now. It is a big year for me and I have Olympic ambitions."

Joel Kidger, a former Commonwealth Games track athlete from Crawley, Stephen Reece-Jones (Brighton and Hove), Biniam Ande (Hastings) and Ben Warren (Hailsham) will be among his main rivals.

But Gavin Thompson, originally from Crawley and now based in America, has been ruled out.

The Commonwealth Games choice entered but the event clashes with warm-weather training in Orlando before he competes indoors.

Ladies champion Julia Downes (Brighton and Hove), 27, is looking to retain her crown.

Arena 80 pair Julie Briggs and Caroline Hoyte likely to push her