CROSS COUNTRY

BLOWING out 60 candles does not leave you much puff for anything else - or so you would have thought.

Simon Maddison blew that idea apart after winning silver in the M60 category at the South of England & Middlesex Veterans Cross Country Championships last week.

The Thames Valley Harrier recently celebrated entering his seventh decade by storming to second at Trent Park in his age category, which was some consolation for the White City club.

Last year at the same championships in North London, they won individual silver and team bronze - but had to be content with just Maddison's medal this time around.

Absentees did for TVH's chances elsewhere - although there was a decent run in excellent conditions for Lee Benjamin - fifth in his Middlesex age category and 21st overall around the three-lap 10km course.

Overall results: 10km men, 40-49 years (Thames Valley Harriers only): 47 Philip Wetton 40mins 20secs; 2 Richard Bell 42:41 (104 finishers). 50-69 years: 21 Lee Benjamin 39:58; 40 John Quirke 41:58; 71 Simon Maddison 45:13 (second in Middlesex); 113 Tony Smith 51:08 (141 finishers).

M50 team: SoEAA 10 TVH; Middlesex: 6 TVH.