Leeds took the lead on the sixth stage and were never headed, finally beating midlands champions Notts AC by one minute 21 seconds with southern winners Belgrave third.

Adam Grice, who missed the northern success due to an international students race, gave Leeds a great start, finishing second on the opening long stage in 26:22.

Martin Roscoe (14:48) dropped two places and Martin Hilton (27:48) slipped to fifth but the team were handily placed at this early stage of the race.

Joe Townsend, a junior returning to action after injury, had an excellent run on stage four taking Leeds to third place with a time of 14:58 and this position was held by Simon Deakin (26:42) and Mike Burrett (15:11).

The Leeds number one Dave Webb (26:01) stormed into the lead on the sixth stage giving Leeds a comfortable margin over Notts AC.

James Wilkinson (15:01), James Walsh (26:44), and Martin Gostling (14:47) kept Leeds in front before Alan Buckley (26:45) and anchor man Darran Bilton went well clear on the final two stages.

Leeds, were almost two minutes faster than last year's winning team.

The Leeds second team finished 23rd in a field of 60 and were first B team and the second Yorkshire team to finish.

Results: Men's 12 stage – 1 Leeds City 4:09:40 (A Grice 26:22, M Roscoe 14:48, M Hilton 27:48, J Townsend 14:58, S Deakin 26:42, M Burrett 15:11, D Webb 26:01, J Wilkinson 15:01, J Walsh 26:44, M Gostling 14:47, A Buckley 26:45, D Bilton 14:33); 2 Notts AC 4:11:01; 3 Belgrave 4:12:16; 4 Newham and Essex 4:12:16; 23 Leeds City B 4:36:59.

* Hannah Evenden (Leeds City) won the shot for the North of England in a junior international match in Malta at the weekend.

Evenden threw 12.15 for an easy victory and also the took runner-up spot in the discus with 41.39.