Morpeth Harriers underlined their status as the North-East's leading cross country outfit by providing the first two teams in yesterday's 20th Durham Cathedral Relays.

The national cross country champions divided up their runners, with Great Britain internationals Ian and Mark Hudspith, finishing first and second on the anchor leg, both clocking the fastest times of 8 mins 33 secs for the 3,000 metres.

Morpeth's A team led from the start, with AAA Championships 1500m finalist Tom Ranger handing over an eight-second advantage to Ivan Hollingsworth.

The B string were hoisted into second place when second leg runner Michael Morris made up three places, though Mark Hudspith was unable to claw anything back on the final leg from his brother, Ian, who won by four seconds.

Ten times North East cross country champion Brian Rushworth, racing for the first time in over a year after recovering from a serious ankle injury, declined the opportunity to make his debut as a veteran.

The 40-year-old teacher helped Sunderland Harriers B team take fourth place, 33 seconds behind their B team, clocking a modest 8 mins 56 secs on the second leg.

Morpeth had started a very successful meeting by winning the junior mixed relay, with Jonathan Young making up two places on the anchor leg with the fastest 1500 metres lap of 4 mins 24 secs, overhauling the two leading Gateshead teams.

British Veterans cross country champion Rob Hand anchored Durham City Harriers to victory in the over-40 men's race, which incorporated the North-East Championship.

Steve Everett had finished fifth on the opening leg, but Ian Crampton took the lead on the second stage from defending champions Sunderland and Hand ran the fastest leg, 9 mins 7 secs, to extend Durham's advantage.

Crook won the over-45 section, with opening leg runner Kevin Archer recording the fastest time of 9 mins 47 secs, while Morpeth claimed their third title of the afternoon in the over-50 race.

Former North-East cross country champion Morag McDonnell anchored Chester-le-Street to victory in the senior women's race, clocking the fastest time of 9 mins 56 secs after Kathryn Waugh opened with a run of 10:22.

* South Tyneside's Chris Parr and Rosie Smith (Durham Central) won the senior events in the Durham Schools Cross Country Championships at Bishop Auckland.