Heathfield, Selsdon on Saturday 19/03/1932 (Junior Ladies)

The first English Junior Women's National Cross-Country Championships took place at "Heathfield", Addington Road, Selsdon near Croydon in Surrey. The race was organised by the Women's Amateur Athletic Association. The race preceded the women's international cross-country match between England and France. The course was 2¼ miles in length and there were 94 starters for the event.

Miss B. Giffen (Spartan Ladies AC) led for the first mile and a half before falling back and being overtaken by several runners including Miss M. Caulfield (Bradford A.C.). With Caulfield leading Giffen surged to get within striking distance but was unable to maintain her effort and fell back to finish sixth. Caulfield went on to win in 17:23, ten seconds ahead of runner-up Miss M. Lush (Civil Service Womens AC). Miss M. Rastrick (Bradford AC) picked up the bronze medal.

In the team event the ladies of Bradford AC secured the title with four in the first twenty to give them a 9 point winning margin over Civil Service Women's AC. Third place went to London Olympiades AC.

Mrs. E. Burgess, of Brighton a forty-seven-years old mother of six children, ran in the race. Immediately after she had passed the post she collapsed. It was some minutes before she was brought to by nurses and St. John Ambulance men, while her eldest daughter, who was celebrating her 21st birthday, looked on anxiously.

When Mrs. Burgess recovered she asked a reporter, "Was I last?" being told that three other competitors had come in after her, Mrs. Burgess turned to her daughter with the remark, "Oh, trainer, I'm so glad I got in before somebody." This is the eldest of my six children," said Mrs. Burgess, with pride. There will be awful trouble about this at home - but there! You see, I am forty-seven years old, and I became enthusiastic about running when I saw a race few weeks ago. Of course, I've had little or no training, and my husband absolutely forbade to go for this race. Just before he went into the country a few days ago my hubby told me that this race would kill me if I ran in it. "Yesterday he sent me a telegram giving me what, he took to be final instructions on non-competition. I wired back to him, "All hiking ceased." Perhaps he'll forgive me now. At any rate, I have my eye on a women's long-distance walk which is coming off soon."