The sixth Women's English National Cross-Country Championships took place at the Morris Engines Recreation Ground in Courthouse Green, Coventry. The course consisted of two laps and was three miles in length and was described as rough. None of the competitors were allowed to traverse the course before the race proper. Spectators at the finishing posts had a magnificent view of the runners over almost the entire distance. The weather was fine but cold, the competitors totalled 121, of whom 118 finished.
Miss Gladys Lunn (Birchfield Harriers) was expected to defend her title with the main opposition coming from Miss L. D. Styles (Haywards Heath AC), the Southern Counties champion, Miss Ruth Christmas, runner-up in 1930, and her sister, Mrs. E. Raven (both London Olympiades A.C).
London Olympiades A.C. wrested team honours from the Westbury Harriers, of Bristol the previous year and were expected to do battle for the team title again.
The Mayor of Coventry (Alderman V. Wyles) was the starter and it was a fine spectacle as the girls raced for position in the rough starting straight. Gladys Lunn was soon ahead and increased her advantage with every stride. Lunn went on to win by over 200 yards in 19:12.
Behind her limped Miss Christmas who had battled bravely with an adhesive bandage covering her right leg and knee after an injury sustained in the Southern championship. There was a great battle for third place between 16-year-old M. French (Birchfield Harriers) and E. Raven with the young Birmingham girl prevailing. The individual winner in 1928, 1929, and 1930, Miss L. D. Styles was fifth having only just got over an attack of the "'flu" which accounted for her being below her usual form.
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