TWO Blackburn Harriers, Chris Hart and Curtis Pearce, were winners in the fourth round of the prestigious Reebok Cross Country Challenge in Edinbugh on Saturday.

The series attracts many of the UK's top athletes and covers the length and breadth of Britain with previous rounds having been held at Liverpool, Birmingham and Margate.

For Chris, his win in the Under 17 race was his first, while Curtis has a near perfect record in the Under 13s with three wins and a second place to his credit.

The outcome of the Under 17 race was in the balance as Chris matched series leader Adrian Holliday from Trafford stride for stride all the way.

As they hit the finishing straight, Hart was the first to make a move , but Holliday responded immediately and it wasn't until the last few strides that Chris inched away.

Officially there was a second between them at the line, but Chris's dad Allan, who described it as 'a brilliant race', reckoned it was much closer. The result throws the series wide open too as Chris is now just a single point behind Adrian in the overall standings.

Curtis Pearce looks to be well set for the Reebok title after his third victory at Holyrood Park, but the tall 12-year-old once again didn't have it easy as the first four were covered by two seconds.

Nathan Bibby of Preston Harriers, who nearly caught Pearce on the line at Liverpool, was again in the mix but had to settle for fourth as Scott Hawkins pushed him closest.

Bakers Warburtons have been priceless patrons with a £1,500 sponsorship deal for Curtis which has enabled him to compete in this league,

and he is literally giving them a good run for their money.

Blackburn Under 13s Adam Hurley and Aaron Flynn also made an impact with 15th and 26th respectively to help the club finish second in the team standings. Meanwhile Leigh Lennon of Hyndburn Athletic Club was eighth in the Under 13 Girls race.