JASON Lobo is preparing to run the race of his life tonight when the 800 metres finally gets under way at the World Athletics Championships in Seville.

The former Blackburn Harrier should have been in action yesterday but the first round had to be scrapped because there was a shortage of athletes who had made the qualifying time.

Originally, the event should have comprised of two rounds, a semi-final and a final.

But, with the first round now scrapped, tonight's qualifiers from the opening round will go straight into tomorrow's semi-finals.

And Lobo believes he will need to run close to his personal best if he wants to avoid being eliminated at the first hurdle.

"It's the biggest race of my life, there's no doubt about that," said Lobo.

"I know I ran in the Commonwealth Games last year but that was for England, this is for Great Britain, and it doesn't come much bigger than this.

"I think I'm going to need to run the sort of time I did at Crystal Palace three weeks ago.

"And if I want to make the final I'll have to go quicker than that.

"But it's all about applying yourself.

"If the application is there then I won't go far wrong.

"That's the biggest thing I've learnt in the past two years.

"I've never lacked motivation but maybe the application has been missing in the past."

Overwhelming favourite for gold is 800 metres world record holder and current champion Wilson Kipketer, who has set the fastest time in the world this year.

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