Knavesmire Harriers have qualified for the National 12-stage Road Relay finals after their under-strength team all performed well at the North of England championships.

With the top 25 teams qualifying for the national event, Knavesmire in 23rd place were one of only seven Yorkshire clubs to progress.

Leeds City (4th), Hallamshire Harriers (5th), Holmfirth Harriers (12th), Rotherham Harriers (14th), Keighley & Craven AC (20th) and

Barnsley AC (24th) were the other clubs to make the finals at Sutton Colfield on April 26.

The Northern event, held on Blackpool's North Promenade, comprised of four legs of 5.1 miles interspaced among eight legs of 2.7 miles.

Cameron Brooks got Knavesmire off to an excellent start, recording the York club's fastest time, clocking 26 mins 27 secs for 17th position on the longer circuit.

Andy Bissell (28-11), Neil Strange (27-27) and Ian Anderson (28-03) ran the subsequent longer circuit legs.

Dave Chippett, on leg two, ran Knavesmire's fastest short leg recording 14 mins 29 secs with Mike McGrath (15-12), Barry Atkinson (14-46), Giles Hawking (15-04) and Steve Boynton (15-27) providing solid support to hold the club in a qualification position.

Kieron Batt (17-03) and Bob Caldwell (16-24) who were both draughted in to the team at the last moment gave everything to leave Knavesmire in 25th place at the end of the 11th leg.

Darren Hendley (14-42), making his debut for the Harriers, ran exceptionally well under pressure, passing two runners on the final leg, bringing Knavesmire home in a total time of three hours 53 mins 15 secs.

Morpeth Harriers retained their crown covering the 42 miles relay in 3-28-40 beating second-placed Sale Harriers Manchester

(3-.30-03) and third-placed Sunderland Harriers (3-33-30).

Updated: 09:19 Wednesday, April 09, 2003