THE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
The fourth race, which is run annually between the leading clubs for the above title, took place last Saturday afternoon, a large number of spectators, tempted by glorious weather, journeying to Roehampton. For the first time the celebrated Birmingham Birchfield club was represented, and, as will be seen, proved victorious. The manner of deciding the winning team is by adding together the order of arrival of the first six members of each club, the one whose total is the lowest to win, the successful men taking a gold medal each, whilst the first home received a silver cup, presented by Mr Walter Rye, who also gave the second man a valuable prize. Messrs T. R. Sachs and A. B. Roff, TH. and H., Jones and Turner, of the South London Harriers, and G. Brinkworth laid the trail.
Soon after four o'clock the start was effected, Stenning, of the T.H.H., soon taking the lead, with Dunning (Clapton) and Law (Birchfield Harriers) in attendance, Groombridge coming fourth. In the Wimbledon-lane, Lawrence, of the Birchfields, spurted up to the leaders, but across Merton Farm, Stenning and Dunning drew away again. At the top of Morden lane the Birmingham division were third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, Turner (of the Spartans) and Hancock and Suffell (Clapton) coming next, Ogden (of the Birchfield) being eleventh. At the Cottenham Park the leading pair were out of sight of the rest, Foreman (of the Spartans) running in company with Law. Going across the fields up to Christchurch the first couple still increased the gap between themselves and the others. Just past the mill Dunning spurted by Stenning, whom he led to the Kingston-road, which he crossed with an advantage of three yards. Stenning was, however, evidently waiting on him, as going up the hill for home the Thames man put it on, and passing Dunning easily, home first for the fourth year in succession, defeating Dunning, who did not persevere to the end, by 35sec. Law was third, two minutes and a half later than the second man. Stenning's time for the full distance was about 3min faster than any previous record.