LEIGH Harriers ran away with four county titles in the first road relay of the season.

The three girls' teams and one boys' team were in top form in the North West championships at Sefton Park.

The U17s' girls, winners for the past four years, kept up their outstanding record to collect gold yet again.

The U13' girls took the first Greater Manchester title of the afternoon after a great 3 x 2km event. Hannah Warburton ran the third fastest leg in 7min 05sec while Amy Riley, in her first race for the club ran a promising 7min 54sec, followed by Abigail Howarth in 7min 53sec.

The golden girls of the U15s' 3 x 3km squad were Lauren Howarth (11min 40sec), Rebecca Howarth (11min 53sec) and Emma Morris (13min 32sec).

The U17 3 x 3km girls were led off by Amanda Fearnley who clocked 11min 51sec. Louise Boardman kept up the pace running 13min 25sec and Yasmin Foulds brought the team home to victory.

The U17 boys took their second county road race title with Neil Pendlebury leading the challenge clocking 14min 49sec for the 4km leg.

Team place

Alex Urmston improved the team place with a run of 14min 36sec and handed over to Tom Boardman who ran the fastest time of the day of 14min 01sec.

The senior ladies finished third in their 3x 4km event. Joanne Wood in her first race for three years ran a creditable time of 16min 40sec and handed over to Marjorie Leigh who finished in 19min 15sec. Eileen Castledine took the last leg to bring the team home.

Ten schools will compete in the first Primary Schools' Cross Country League meeting hosted by Leigh Harriers on Saturday at Marshall Street College.