The Hampshire Cross Country Championships had a change of venue this year, moving down to Staunton Park at Havant.

Ground conditions proved to be worse than predicted, and rough terrain mixed with boggy marshland forced many runners to pull out or finish injured.

However, despite the exceedingly difficult conditions Winchester and District A.C. had some brilliant successes with two individual wins and a second place.

In the under 13 girls' race, Louisa Warwick continued her superb form with yet another win to become county champion closely followed by Emma Buckett with a good run for fifth place.

There was a good turn-out in the under 15 girls event and excellent team packing as Fenella Langridge led them home in tenth place followed by Hannah Vosser (14th), Nicola Ferris (17), AnnaLee Flood (22), Olly Berry (26) and Elise West (28) for a very good bronze medal team placing.

In the under 17 women's race Lorna Russell, having an excellent season, ran a strong race to finish second for her silver medal. While India Lee in the under 20 women's race had a superb win, leading from the gun to claim her champion's title.

In the senior women's race, the club was weakened by withdrawals and in the sapping 8km course Kath Bailey was first home in a good fourth place, followed by Natalie Cain (12), Katherine Jones (18), Lucy Scott (36) and Joy Radford (51) for a bronze medal team position.

There was disappointment in the men's race when only three runners turned out on the day, but there was a good performance by Ian Hardcastle to finish 14th, followed by Andy Woodcock (22) and Ian Leedham (94). Meanwhile, in the under 20 men's race, Daniel Leedham finished in a creditable 15th place.

There was good support for the boys under 15 race, where Max Kiralyfi came home in tenth place followed by Dominic Kiralyfi (32), Ashley Pike (33), Sean Davies (35) and Sam Bolton (43) for a sixth team placing. In the under 13 boys event Jonny Burgin gave a very creditable performance for 21st place.