Leeds City defend their National 12 Stage Road Relay title at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, tomorrow.
Leeds are favourites following their recent win in the northern relay, but Notts AC, winners of the midlands title and southern champions Belgrave Harriers look the big threat to the quest for a clean sweep of honours this year.
Leeds are spearhea
ded by long stage runners Dave Webb, James Walsh and Alan Buckley with a powerful trio of Simon Deakin, Adam Grice and Martin Hilton backing them up.
Webb and Grice were missing from the northern race and their return massively strengthens the Leeds squad.
Martin Roscoe, Darran Bilton, Mike Burrett and junior James Wilkinson from the northern-winning team are running the short stages along with Martin Gostling, returning after injury and Michael Salter, a talented junior getting a first-team slot after some good performances.
Adam Osborne misses the race following his effort in the London Marathon and Chris Birchall, who would have been an automatic selection, has opted for the Three Peaks race, also tomorrow.
The 54th running of the famous Three Peaks race is particularly special this year as it incorporates the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge with over 100 foreign competitors representing 20 countries.
Three-times winner Rob Jebb (Bingley), who has also won the cyclo cross version of the race, will be looking to add to his impressive list of honours.
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