SOME of Barnet's brightest runners will be taking part in a traditional lung-busting event making a return to the London Youth Games today.

The runners will be competing against 1,000 from across the capital in the cross-country event, the first of this year's games.

They will be competing in U13, 15 and 17 age groups for boys and girls, running 2,000m for the younger age groups and girls and 4,500m for the U17 boys at Parliament Hill.

All of the competitors belongs to the boroughs two running clubs and from secondary schools own events.

Councillor Andrew Harper, cabinet member for children, said: “The London Youth Games give Barnet's top young athletes a great goal to train towards, not only in cross country but across over 30 other sports.

“At the 2010 games in July Team Barnet won a record haul of medals and we hope that beginning today, our young sportsmen and women will build on that success. I wish all our cross country runners the best of luck."