They placed their six counting runners in the top 36 places in the 1000-strong field last year and the same squad is in action again. David Webb led them home in 14th place last time around and this year, as Northern Champion, he is expected to be among the top handful of competitors in with a chance of clinching an individual medal.

Midlands Champion James Walsh is also a strong contender. Both he and Webb were well- supported in last year's win by Martin Hilton, Simon Deakin, Darran Bilton and Martin Roscoe.

Hilton is less than fully-fit after a long-standing injury, but the others are running well.

The fight for counting places will be fierce as Leeds also have Chris Birchall, Adam Grice, Adam Osborne, Mike Burrett and Greg Hull in their line-up and are missing only the injured Martin Gostling from what is otherwise a full-strength squad.

Bedford and Sale came closest to Leeds last year and could again be their closest challengers.

Yorkshire senior champion Alistair Brownlee (Bingley) goes for the junior title, while Kevin Deighton (Bridlington), who has struggled with injuries this season, is listed to defend his title. James Wilkinson leads a strong Leeds City team who will be aiming to add to their Northern victory in this age group.

Michael Wood led the Leeds Under-15 team to victory in the Northern and they will be looking for medals at National level while Wakefield are Yorkshire's leading challengers in the Under-17 race.

Fergus Roberts (Richmond and Zetland) is a strong contender in the youngest age group, the Under-13 section.

In the senior women's event, British 3000m steeplechase record holder Hatti Dean will lead the Hallamshire Harriers' challenge.

The Sheffield club have already won the Yorkshire and Northern titles and will be looking for further success with Julia Russell, Nicola Squires and Liz Such backing up Dean.

Bingley, bronze medalists last year, will be led by Victoria Wilkinson.

Rotherham, Under-17 winners last year, are particularly strong in the junior women's section where they have Sheffield Hallam student Rosie Edwards who narrowly missed out on the Northern title.

She is backed up by Natalie Grant, fresh from an outstanding race in Belgium, Klachen Cheshire and Jade Allen.

The National Junior Indoor Championships take place today and tomorrow at Birmingham's NIA, while for road runners the popular Snake Lane 10-mile road race is held at Pocklington tomorrow.

Entries are closed at the limit of 850 with last year's winner Steve Hepples (Lotfus) strongly fancied to win again and possibly beat his own course record of 49:22.