Athletics: Welshman Mark Morgan stole the glory in the first Bradford 10k yesterday.

The Swansea runner staged a storming finish over the stiff two-kilometre climb towards the finish in Low Moor to defeat Morpeth Harrier Ian Hudspith and Bingley Harriers' star runner Richard Nerurkar.

Morgan's win earned him the AAA National 10k title in a time of 29min 13sec, while Hudspith had the double consolation of winning the Inter-Counties crown and leading the North East to victory over Yorkshire in the team prize. Morgan finished five seconds ahead of Hudspith, with Nerurkar a further nine seconds adrift.

The ladies' prize went to Birham Dagne of Essex Ladies, who clocked a fine time of 33-19.

The British Veterans' title race produced a triumph for John Rye of Thames Valley, who powered up the final climb to defeat long-time front-runner Tony Duffy of Bolton in 31-31.

The race itself was a triumph of organisation for Bingley Harriers, who hope it will become an annual event. More than 800 competed.

Winner Morgan, who confessed to having stitch after about six kilometres, said: "I thought it was an excellent race and a good course. I was delighted to win because there was such a good field of runners."

Nerurkar, who is battling his way back to fitness and has his sights set on representing Great Britain at the Sydney Olympics in the marathon, said: "It was certainly a good race because you only had to look who was running to realise what a good job the organiser had done.

"I found the last climb very tough, but I feel I am getting my fitness back and this is just the sort of race that I needed."

Nerurkar had hoped that he could have helped Yorkshire to the Inter-Counties title, but, despite his good work and support from Carl Thackery (sixth), and his Bingley colleagues Colin Moore (eighth) and Andrew Pearson (13th) they lost out to the strong North East line up.

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