TEAM SOLENT'S Angus Maclean helped Great Britain to 14th place at the men's short course race at the World Cross Country Championships in Japan.

The race, held over a 4km course in Fukuoka, was dominated by the Africans and won by Ethiopia's Kennenisa Bekele, who collected his fourth consecutive short course title.

Britain weren't helped by losing Commonwealth Games 1,500m finalist Andy Baddeley to injury on the eve of the race but, with Maclean running well, Britain finished one place higher in the team rankings compared to a year ago.

The Winchester doctor, a bronze medallist at the UK 4km Championships in Nottingham last month, advanced from 92nd at the first checkpoint to finish 68th in a time of 11min 46sec.

He said: "I was very pleased. It was the best of the three World Cross races I've done. I thought I judged it just right - went off comfortably and moved through. I reckon the races have got harder as well with the likes of Qatar and Bahrain coming through.

"With there being no 4km next year, I'll definitely go for the long course.

"I've surprised myself over longer distances this winter. I'm going to try some 5k's in the summer and take it from there."

Meanwhile in Algiers, North Africa, Stubbington-based Andy Vernon finished 39th at the World Student Cross Country Championships.

The 20-year-old, who is studying at St Mary's College in Twickenham, was the third Briton to finish in the men's race.

Team leader Chris Coleman said: "This Championship was a big step forwards in terms of the development of these athletes. The combined support from BUSA and UK Athletics has made a real difference this year.

"The men really had to move up to another level against a strong turnout from the North African nations. The pace was relentless - the leaders went through 1km in 2min 50sec."