TYNESIDER Mark McLeod, son of former Olympic 10,000m silver-medallist Mike McLeod, will be vying for his first veterans title in the North-East Masters Cross Country Championships at Darlington today.

The Elswick Harrier faces competition in the over-35 8K event from two other fancied candidates, Sunderland’s English Masters international Kevin Jeffress and Low Fell’s Jon Archer. Blackhill Bounders’ Patrick Duffy will not be defending his title.

There also promises to be an interesting clash in the over-45 race between former Great Britain international Stewy Bell, now the North-East inter-countries team manager, and Sunderland stalwart Tim Field.

This year’s entry has doubled to 150 covering all age groups up to M80 in which Darlington Harrier’s British Master international and prolific competitor Ian Barnes will be aiming to add to his impressive trophy collection.

The championships, at Education Village, Salters Lane, Darlington, start at 11.30am with the women and over-65 men (three laps 6k), while the over-35-64 men (four laps 8K) is scheduled for 12.15.

*The Inter Counties Schools Cross Country Championships between Northumberland, Durham, Cleveland and Cumbria, are being held today at Temple Park, South Shields, starting at 12.30pm.