Bill O'Connor, team captain and manager of Queens Park Harriers, limbered up for April's London Marathon in the Southern Masters Cross Country Championships at Biggleswade on Saturday.

O'Connor is only one of 22 runners who have competed in the showpiece event since its inception 28 years ago in 1981 and his training saw him finish in 42.03 last weekend, taking 167th place in the 60-62 age category.

In the Over 40s race Jonathan Ainsworth was the first Harrier home in 73rd place, with a time of 39.30, shortly followed by Andy Angus (108th in 42.47).

Frank Nolan completed the Over 50s 10,000m distance race in 41.11 (76th) followed by Alex Brodie (156th in 51.40)

Meanwhile, Harrow Athletic Club's Chris Finill celebrated his recent 50th birthday by taking the bronze medal in the Soutern Masters.

The ultra-marathon specialist made light of the hilly but dry 10,000m park land course, running with the leading pack throughout to claim third place in 34.28. Mike Lepps was a solid 36th (38.53) while Tony Bush finished 60th (55.41) in the Over 60 race.

Julian Critchlow matched Finill's performance by taking third spot (32.37) in the Over 40 event. He tried to match strides with the leading pair in the early stages before dropping back into the chasing pack and then pulling clear to make sure of bronze on the final circuit. Mark Cursons (34.21) gave good support to finish 20th.