NORTH of England cross country champions Morpeth Harriers face a stern test of their strength-in-depth as they vie for medals in today’s Northern 12-Stage Road Relay Championships at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

The Northumbrians, who added the Royal Signals Relay trophy to their growing collection after a record-breaking victory in the North-East Championships last month, last won the coveted Northern title in 2011, when they had Mongolian Olympic marathon international Serod Batochir in their ranks.

But Morpeth have never been out of the medal positions since then, finishing third last year, runners-up in 2013 and third in 2012.

Recognised as the region’s strongest senior men’s club, Morpeth will include the North-East cross country champion and runner-up – Teessider Jonny Taylor and mountain-running international Nick Swinburn – in their powerful squad, which will also include former regional cross country gold medallists Lewis Timmins and former New Marske Harrier Andrew Wiles.

The North-East will have a strong representation at Sefton Park, including new North-East Harrier League champions Tyne Bridge Harriers, Gateshead Harriers and Sunderland Harriers.

Morpeth also send a strong women’s team to contest the Six-Stage Road Relay Championships, having finished just outside the medals in fourth-place last year at Heaton Park, Manchester, where their Olympic 1500m finalist, Laura Weightman, ran the second fastest time.