Winchester & District AC runners did well as the club hosted the opening meeting of the league cross country season, held recently at Farley Mount Country Park.

The weather held out to allow some excellent performances, including the U15 girls, where Donna Meachem ran well just behind Sasha Mucci to finish 7th . Jessica Bradford is one to watch with a fine run for 13th place, and Kathryn Bonham completed the team not far behind in 17th place. Olivia Malan came 34th. The team finished third with 37 points.

In the Senior Women, Natalie Coveney made a comeback after consistent back problems and had a good run, finishing in 36th place. Charlotte Beanland came 137th.

Among the U13 boys, Winchester's Jack Bolton started off the season with a strong run to take 27th place.

U15 boys: K. Allen 8th (team placed 8th, 82 pts); Alex Simmons 27th, J Dolbear 47th.

A fine run by K Allen took eighth place in the U15 boys with Alex Simmnons (27th) and J. Dolbear (47th) running well to complete the team, which took 8th place.

In the U17 men's event, there was a strong performance by the host team to take 3rd place with P. Eccles 13th, J. Kay 14th, Alex Pritchard 16th, S Glaysher 25th, D. Straw 28th and J Horns 30th. On this form the team looks set for a good season.

There was a good turn out from the home club among the Senior Men, with Ian Hardcastle making his mark early with an impressive run in a very strong field to take 28th place.

Otheres were: L Walton 80th, D. Blythe 91st, R Jutting 92nd, A. Doolittle 116th, O. Pinchbeck 120th, I Leedham 223rd, S. Lawson 263rd, P Roberts 269th. The team took 3rd poace in Division 2.