MICHAELA McCallum will not relish the memories of her first Hants Cross-Country Championships.

In the absence of defending champ Lucy Elliott, the 37-year-old from Suffolk, now a resident of Winchester was considered by many as red-hot favourite to win the eight-kilometre women's race at Applemore's Dibden Inclosure.

But, suprisingly, McCallum was well off the pace in fourth place - over a minute-and-a-half adrift of winner Bryony Frost, pictured left, from the Isle of Wight.

McCallum, who finished second Briton behind golden girl Paula Radcliffe at the 2003 London Marathon, had been in sizzling early-season form, winning the Hampshire Cross-Country League fixtures at Goodwood and Reading and the Hayling 10 Road Race.

Despite being laid low with a virus over Christmas, she had expected to do much better on Saturday, but admitted: "I didn't have a good run at all and I'm very disappointed.

"It was just one of those days and I'll put it behind me, I think. I've been trying to look for reasons why I ran so poorly, as you always do, but I think it was a combination of things on the day.

"I'd had a week off in December and, coupled with being ill, I hadn't done any quality sessions."

McCallum knew long before the race had finished that she was not destined win it, but said: "I kept going because I knew the other Winchester runners were doing well and we did manage to take the team title.

"I was also the first veteran home, but that was poor consolation because I hate being classified as a vet!"

Race winner Frost was in great shape, crossing the line with 23 seconds to spare over runner-up Joanne McGarry of Jersey Spartans who, in turn, was three seconds clear of Frost's identical twin sister Kathryn.

The Island glamour girls, best known for their steeplechase exploits on the track, were tackling their first senior race at the championships having come first and second respectively at under-20 level last year.

In the men's race, Guernsey Island's Lee Merrien returned to defend his 2003 title and, for two thirds of the race, it looked as if he would succeed.

But, over the latter part of the 11.7k course, it was Alton's accomplished road runner Toby Lambert who came to the fore to win in 36 minutes and 55 seconds, leaving Merrien 12 seconds in his wake.

Team Solent's Colin Dixon led the local challenge in fifth place and there were successes for the red and white stripes lower down the age-groups with Scott Legg winning the under-13 boys' 2.5k race in 8.37 and Laura Brenton triumphing over the 6.1k under-20 women's course in 23.10. Solent's Russel North took under-15 boys' silver behind Overton's Josh Bliss.

Shirley girl Louise Webb provided the feather in Southampton City's cap, following up her many Hampshire League successes by taking the under-13 title.

Webb's clubmate Rebecca Gough finished just outside the medals in the under-15 girls' event but had the honour of sharing in the team title. Jodie Bowers (sixth), Charlotte Benning (seventh) and Dominique Mucci (17th) ensured there were four City girls in the top 20.

Team Solent training partners Angus Maclean and Rod Finch finished 14th and 32nd respectively in the Great North Cross Country 4k run at Newcastle. Commonwealth 1,500m champion Michael East from Portsmouth was third.