Adam Bowden led Harrow Athletic Club to Chiltern League victory for the third time this winter,but he had a much tougher battle on his hands this time, writes Tony Bush.
The 26-year-old triathlete had won the two previous races easily but in this event, at Slough's Upton Court Park,he had a titanic struggle with Matt Janes, recent winner of the Leeds 10K in a fast 29.30.
The pair ran together for almost the whole race,over three laps of fast parkland, before Bowden's sprint finish beat the Bedford man by just two seconds in 26.21, believed to be a new course record.
Damian Nevins is also in good shape, finishing in a fine seventh place. Meanwhile Dave Branfoot continued his good form to finish 10th and Matt Carey had his best race of the winter to take 11th.
Julian Critchlow was the first veteran over the line,in 19th place overall, while Jim Cooper and Alan Wray gave good support in 24th and 31st respectively. Peter Norris, who was suffering from a cold, came 32nd.
Harrow welcomed back Chris Finill, recovered from his awesome run of 151 miles in 24 hours in October,and he ran a solid race in 39th. Mark Cursons helped the club win the veteran's team category.
Young prospect Sky Draper matched Bowden's record in winning her third consecutive Chiltern League race,taking victory by six seconds in 8.26, and leading Harrow to fourth team spot. Owen Hurcom placed a good fourth in the U11 race while Andrew Holliman also ran well to finish 11th in the U15s.
Richard Franzese produced another superb run to win the Varsity cross-country event. He ran with the leading group of three for the first nine kilometres of the 12km race before striking out to lead Oxford to a clear victory.
Harrow's senior men will be in action in the North of the Thames cross-country championships in Kingsbury on Saturday.
