Chester-le-Street women's team look set to add the Northern Six-Stage Road Relay title to their North of England cross country championship in Manchester today.

The Cestrians, who became the first North-East women's team to win a national championship when they took the English cross country crown in 2003, are gradually building up to full strength after a series of injuries forced them out of the spotlight.

They are still without their Great Britain international, Dianne Heneghan, who is gradually winning her fight for fitness, and another stalwart, Kathryn Waugh. But coach Lindsay Dunn still believes his team will be strong enough to set the pace among the North's leading medal contenders today.

Chester-le-Street welcome a new recruit, Durham University student Emma Waterhouse, who has proved herself to be a promising 1500m track runner in league competition. She joins former British Universities 10,000m track champion Alyson Dixon, who helped the North-East win thre Inter-Counties cross country title at Blackburn two weeks ago, Commonwealth Games finalist Sarah Wilkinson, former North-East cross country champion Morag McDonnell and the ever-consistent Maxine Czarnecka.

Dunn, named Coach of the Year last year for his guidance of Commonwealth Games 1500m finalist Nick McCormick, will travel to Manchester expecting his team to finish in the top three. He said: "It is a good team - I would think a medal-winning team. We have a good chance."

While Chester-le-Street go into the championships full of confidence, injury-ravaged Morpeth will be hard pressed to continue their run of six consecutive victories in the 12-Stage event.

The Northumbrians - already without the services of McCormick - will also be missing the injured former double North-East cross country champion Neil Wilkinson, track middle-distance specialist Tom Ranger, and Dan Samuels.

Sunderland will be led by their North-East veterans cross country champion Brian Rushworth and the Wearsiders have had to call other over-40s into their team, which will be seeking a top-20 place and qualification for the National 12-Stage Championships at Sutton Coldfield next month.

All finishers in today's South Shields multi-terrain Sand Dancer 10K will receive a copy of the £25 Great North Run Book, with prizes worth nearly £1,000.

Late entries for the event (11am start) will be accepted and there will be a free buffet at the prize presentation in the Sand Dancer pub.