Chris Thompson's international pedigree proved too hot for his rivals to handle in Saturday's Hampshire Cross-Country Championships at the Dibden Enclose, Applemore.
The Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete, who picked up junior men's silver in the Spar European Championships in Malmo last month, took men's crown with 18 seconds to spare over last year's champion Nicholas Anderson of the Winchester & District club for whom Ian Hardcastle finished seventh.
Southampton Running Club's big hope Rod Finch did not compete after waking up on Saturday morning with a sore throat. That left clubmate Pete Davis to carry the SRC flag in 11th - six places adrift of Russell Savage who finished a fine fifth for the host club Hardley Runners.
Kathryn Bailey of Havant AC won the women's title ahead of Aldershot's Sarah Bradbury with defending champion Megan Clark of Oxford University having to settle for third.
Both the men's and women's team titles went to Aldershot, Farnham & District.
* Full results and photos in tomorrow's Southern Daily Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article