GREAT Britain junior international Ryan McLeod followed in the illustrious footsteps of his father Mike by winning the Warburtons Norman Woodcock Memorial Road Race at Gosforth Park, Newcastle.

But a desperate late taxi dash by Cumbrian runner Rebecca Robertson was in vain as she was disqualified for failing to register after leading all the way in the women's race.

McLeod, 20, was a comfortable winner of the men's six-mile race, which was won ten times by his father, the 10,000m silver medallist in the Los Angeles Olympics.

The World Junior Cross Country Championships representative, third in the Elswick Harriers race in 2002, clocked 30 mins 34 secs, 16 seconds clear of Chester-le-Street's Stewy Bell, who was also runner-up when McLeod senior last won in 1993.

The women's race ended in confusion after Kendal runner Robertson failed to register.

A student at Newcastle University, she arrived at the course by taxi when a promised lift broke down and did not have time to register as a late entry.

She ran towards the start without obtaining a number and joined the race line-up, going quickly to the front of the women's event.

Robertson clocked 34 mins 7 secs to beat Judith Nutt by 2 mins 40 secs.

But she was automatically disqualified and the race was awarded to the Elswick Harrier.

The Cumbrian insisted, however, on paying her entry fee, even though she left empty-handed.