Herne Hill Harriers held an open and club veterans' six-mile cross country race in Brockwell Park on Saturday, which Vic Maughn won in 32 mins 15 secs.

First veteran to finish was Rob Jacobs (33:30), while Pat Angell winged his way home in 35 minutes to take third place.

Paul Oates won the over-50s' race in 37 mins 54 secs and Mickie Harran the over-60s' event in 44 mins 09 secs.

Alan Norman travelled from Wanstead and missed the noon start time, but still joined in and timed himself.

He was so far behind that he felt sorry for the stewards, who had flagged every 20m of the course. He started to pick up the marking flags as he did his last lap not realising there were more than 150 of them until his arms were full and he was only half way round!

On Sunday, Tooting Bec-based Dave Taylor recorded a time of 23 mins 42 secs to finish seventh in a high class field in the Portsmouth five-mile road race. He was followed in 19th place by Mick Boyle (24:34) who took the veterans' prize by more than one minute. Simon Stevens clocked 26 mins 12 secs. In the women's race,Polly Rogers-Dixon finished 10th in 28 mins 34 secs, with Ceri Diss 16th (29:13).

Herne Hill Harriers' Paul Phillips travelled a little further and clocked 72 minutes in the Florence half marathon.

In the second sports hall event of the winter at Guildford, the club won the girls and boys' U13 and U15 sections.

This weekend Rebekkah Passley travels to Glasgow to represent English Schools in an international multi-event competition.

December 5, 2001 17:30