NORTHERN champions Morpeth Harriers' hopes of a first National 12-Stage road relay title have been hit by the absence of their three top runners.

They travel to Sutton Coldfield today without brothers Mark and Ian Hudspith and reigning North-East cross country champion Neil Wilkinson, who are recovering from their exertions in last weekend's Flora London Marathon.

Mark finished 20th - a tantalising 75 seconds outside the Olympic Games qualifying time - while Ian and marathon debutant Wilkinson were unable to complete the course. The triofeel they needed more time to recover from London.

But North-East half marathon champion Terry Wall, a disappointing 74th in London, will run.

Morpeth have great strength in depth, but the loss of their star trio probably kills off their medal hopes.

Three other North-East clubs will be involved at Sutton Park - previous winners Gateshead Harriers, Sunderland Harriers and North Shields Polytechnic.

Chester-le-Street AC, bronze medallists in the National six-stage last year, will also struggle to be among the medals after losing two of their best athletes. Dianne Heneghan is unavailable, while Sarah Wilkinson is still struggling to throw off a virus.

The Cestrians call up Stephanie Robson and Dawn Elliott into the team, joining Morag McDonnell, Kathryn Waugh, Alison Dixon and Maxine Czarnecka.

Gateshead Harriers also compete in the six-stage event, led by former Blaydon Race winner Karen Hind.

* Bernadette Taylor, of Darlington Harriers, a road race winner over 10K and newly-crowned North-East Half Marathon champion after her success at Redcar last month, switches to the ten mile distance at Blyth tomorrow.