110 young athletes took to the starting line at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday for the first races in a new KPMG junior series.

In the boys 13 to 15 age group, last year's winner Morrison broke away from Henry Talbot at the end of the first loop around the Gardens to finish the six kilometre course in 20 minutes, 58 seconds.

Talbot, second to Morrison in last year's series, had to settle for second again in 22.04 with last year's 11 to 12 age group winner, Terrence Dill, in third place.

In the girls' 13 to 15 category, Chloe Kempe, who has just moved up to this age group, justified her pre-race status as one of the favourites by recording a convincing win in 26.25 -- over a minute and a half ahead of Robyn Dickinson (28.10).

In a sprint finish, Melissa DeSilva just edged out Ashley Kirkpatrick for third place.

The older age group was preceded by the eight to 10-year-olds and 11-and-12 year-olds who completed a two mile loop around the Gardens.

As expected Coyatito Smith, third in his age group in last year's series, took first place in a quick 12.09 with last year's eight to 10 series winner, Cody Lima, in second place in 12.36 and Sheldon McKenzie third in 12.53.

There were no surprises in the girls' 11 and 12 division as Flora Duffy, last year's series champion in this age group, dominated to finish in 12.48, good enough for third overall among both boys and girls and over two minutes ahead of second place finisher Kassie Bather (14.56). Sierra Bean was third in 16.19.

The boys' eight to 10 age group attracted a large field of 50 and Kor Von Tucker showed why he is the series favourite as he followed up his record breaking Front Street mile performance with a convincing win in 13.01 for the two mile loop.

Kejuan Clarke, a new face in the series this year, took second place in 13.20 with Justin Collis close behind in 13.28.

Shellicia McKenzie, who was fourth in the eight to 10 girls' series last year, produced a mild upset in the same age group this year as she beat out Kimberley Fisher, who was second last year. McKenzie finished in 14.03 with Fisher taking second place in 14.27 and Danlia Martin (sixth in the series in 1999) third in 14.35.

The next race in the KPMG series is the Butterfield and Vallis event on February 6. Entry forms are available in sports stores in Hamilton.

Juniors can also still sign up for the series until January 31. Entry is free.

Every junior gets five points for each race completed and the top five in each age group in each race receive additional points. The best four results out of five races count towards the final points standings.

Mark Morrison: took up where he left off last year with victory in Sunday's opening race of the KPMG series.