This weekend saw one of the season’s most anticipated races of the season: the South of England Athletic Association’s Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields in Hampsted Heath.

An event notable for both its hills and, at this time of year, mud, Striders fielded 58 runners across 10 highly competitive races, with the majority turning out in the men’s and women’s senior races.

Ollie Knight was the first Strider home in the men’s senior race, completing a punishing 15k course in 55:53 to secure 162^nd place. With the top 6 from each club scoring points in the senior men’s race, Joe Dunn, Tony Brady-Locke, Doug Hobson, Mike Martin and Richard Evans joined Ollie in helping Striders to 32^nd place overall.

For the women, Lucy Jones was Striders’ highest placed finisher in 110^th position. With only the top 4 from each club scoring in the women’s senior race, Lauren Eckley, Deborah Steer and Karen Sheard also scored as Striders placed 35^th overall.

In the junior races, the standout Striders performance came from Antonia Jubb in the girls’ U15 race, as she secured a superb 9^th place finish.

Next weekend will see a strong Striders turnout take on the Watford Half Marathon.