boys' honours as the new KPMG road running series got off to a flying start at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday.

More than 130 girls and boys in three different age groups turned up for the opening event.

And it was Morrison, who ran an impressive 37:09 in the recent International 10K to finish second behind Tyler Butterfield in the junior division, who led the way over a four mile course for 13-15 year-olds.

Son of series coordinator Dave Morrison, the Saltus schoolboy clocked a quick 22:22 on the undulating two loop course to finish 20 seconds ahead of school-mate Henry Talbot. Another Saltus pupil, Chris Conway took third in 23.30.

Tiffany Eatherley, winner of the under-18 division in the Front Street Mile, triumphed again, this time among 13-15 girls, but was was made to work hard by Robyn Dickinson.

Dickinson led for much of the race but was caught and passed by Eatherley who went on to clock 27.12. Dickinson finished just eight seconds back with Shar-dae Whitter third.

In the 11-12 age group, in which runners completed one two-mile loop, Tyler Abbott and Chayce Smith, the top two in the recent mile, set a blistering early pace to open up a gap on their competition which included Terrance Dill, the junior cross-country champion, and Geoffrey Smith, the fastest qualifier for the Front Street mile.

In the end it was Chayce Smith who used his stamina to pull away from Abbott on Tee Street to win in 12.24.

Abbott was passed by Dill but then regained second spot to finish some 30 seconds behind Smith. Dill took third place ahead of Sean Harvey and Geoffrey Smith.

As expected, Flora Duffy dominated the girls' 11-12 division, taking first place and sixth overall in the age group.

Duffy, who set a new age group record in the Front Street mile and won the junior cross-country series, clocked 13.29 and was never in danger of being caught as she added another win to her already long list of triumphs.

Jenny Palmer, one of a number of promising junior girls, enjoyed an excellent race to take second behind Duffy in 13.48 with Chloe Kempe just three seconds behind in third spot.

One of the most encouraging aspects of Sunday's event was the number of eight to 10 year olds who turned out -- 72 in all.

Cody Lima, who is emerging as a real talent on the junior scene, enhanced his reputation further by running away with the win in the eight to 10 boys, completing the loop in 12.51, a time that would have placed him second in the 11-12 boys.

Behind Lima there was a tremendous race for second with Carlo Paynter (13:31) edging out Kor Von Tucker (13:39) and Sheldon McKenzie (13:40).

Jessica Palmer dominated her age group to win the eight to 10 girls in 14.08, a time that would have placed her fourth in the 11-12 girls and good enough for seventh overall in the age group.

Palmer established an early lead and went on to win by 36 seconds over Shellicia McKenzie (14.42) and Sierra Bean (15.20).

The top seven finishers in each race of the series receive points -- 50 for first place to 10 for seventh while all others get five. Runners have to complete four of the five races to be eligible for the overall points title.

Eventual champions will be offered a week-long expenses trip to the North American East Coast to participate in a running camp.

In addition, any junior who completes a minimum of four of the five races in the series will be entered in a draw for another all expenses-paid trip to the running camp along with the six age group winners and a coach.

The next race in the series is the Butterfield and Vallis 5K on February 7.

Thirteen to 15-year-olds will race the full 5K while the younger runners will compete over a shorter distance.

MARK MORRISON -- led home the 13-15 year-old boys.