LOREN Bleaken will be seeking a third successive title as the cream of the county’s young runners head to Grittleton House tomorrow morning for the Wiltshire Schools’ Cross Country Championships.

The 15-year-old Hardenhuish School student, who lives in Marshfield, achieved back-to-back wins in the juniors girls’ age group in 2009 and 2010 but this year has moved up into the inter girls’ age group.

While competition is sure to be tough Bleaken, who finished fourth in the McCain Cross Challenge in Cardiff last weekend, looks certain for another top three finish and it will take a big performance to deny her a memorable hat-trick.

Alex Carter heads a strong squad of runners from Bradford on Avon’s St Laurence School and, like Bleaken, the 14-year-old is seeking a third successive county title.

Carter, who opened the year with victory in the South West Championships and was fourth in Cardiff last weekend, also moves up into the inter age group.

The first race is at the earlier time of 10.15am followed by an action-packed programme of seven races in 1hour 8mins.

The first 15 runners in each race will be considered for selection to represent the county at the South West Schools’ Championships at Ilton, near Yeovil, on February 12 and then the English Championships in Nottingham on March 19.

“It looks like we have a very good entry and hopefully it will be a good day,” said meeting organiser Tim Whiting.