EMMA Grant led from start to sprint finish to win the women's title in the prestigious North London Cross-country Championships.

Grant set the pace from the outset of the 6,000m event in Ruislip Woods but was shadowed throughout by Serpentine's Rachael Glover.

The Hillingdon AC runner could not shake off her rival until the final 100m as Grant crossed the line one second clear in 23mins 15secs.

Clubmate Michaela Hutchison was third in 23.34 and Vicky Cornford (23rd), Pauline Fischer (29th) and Christine Heemskerk (39th) helped Hillingdon to third place in the team event.

Martin Bateman was the leading Hillingdon finisher in the five-mile men's event as he came in eighth in 29.35, while Daniel Thompson returned to form following injury with 13th in 30.18.

The A team was fourth and the B team was 10th out of 14, while in the vets event Hillingdon's teams were fifth, seventh, ninth and 11th out of 11.

Other results were: 30 Steve Farley 31.55; 38 Paul Leppard 32.18; 47 James McGowan 33.18; 48 Andy Miles 33.19 (first Hillingdon vet); 51 Dave Smith 33.29; 52 Steve Wicks 33.34; 55 Simon Claridge 34.02; 58 Kevin Waterman 34.15; 62 Stevan Dokic 34.30; 74 Brian Leach 36.24; 79 Jason Steel 37.08; 81 John Myall 37.58; 83 Andy Mansi 38.09; 87 John Bignell 38.38; 105 Dave Wardle 42.13; 107 Mick Miller 42.44; 109 Brian Feldman 43.18; 115 Steve Thompson 50.04.

Mick Miller won the over-70s age group at the Stevenage Half Marathon earlier this month after completing the course in 1hr 46mins 39secs, finishing more than 11 minutes ahead of Dennis Draper who took the Hertfordshire Vets title which was held within the event.

That was despite Miller's artificial hip giving him problems in the last few miles which meant he had to walk briefly before finishing strongly.

Clubmate Nick Seaman recorded 1.37.09, his personal best as a vet and his fastest time since 1982.