MORPETH Harriers will try to underline their position as the North-East's leading cross country exponents in today's English Cross Country Association's relay championships at Mansfield.

Over 1,150 teams have been entered in the ten age-group races and the Northumbrians, who shot to the top of the men's Division One of the Start Fitness North-East Harrier League last weekend, will be favourites to again top the regions' representatives in the senior men's and women's races.

Morpeth have entered four teams in the senior men's 4 x 5K relay, where they were the North-East's top outfit in ninth place last year, and the entry list includes Olympian Nick McCormick and internationals Jonny Taylor, Ian Hudspith, Nick Swinburn and Lewis Timmins. The Region's other teams include Harrier League champions Gateshead and the strong Teesside outfit New Marske Harriers, whose line-up could include top cross country runner Ricky Stevenson.

Morpeth, seventh last year, have entered two teams in the women's 3x3K event, including Olympic Games 1500m finalist Laura Weightman, and they will be joined by Durham City - including North-East champion Rosie Smith - New Marske and North Shields Polytechnic.

Wallsend's Ethiopian distance runner Yared Hagos, who holds the Darlington 10K record, collected a £250 bonus for winning the Jedburgh Half Marathon in a new record 66 mins 28 secs. Durham City's Michael Crawley won the Border town's 10K in 31 mins 11 secs.