Stacey Hill Farm on Saturday 12/03/1932 (Senior Men)
CROSS-COUNTRY
BIRCHFIELD HARRIERS RETAIN NATIONAL TITLE
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY J. A. BURNS
Birchfield Harriers successfully defended their title in the fifty-first national championship at Wolverton on Saturday, but their win was not easily gained, for at the finish they had only 13 points to spare from Salford Harriers, whose last win was registered in 1898. Twenty-nine clubs and thirty-five individual runners faced the starter, the field numbering 289.
After several breakaways and a warning that persistence in this respect would lead to disqualification, the huge field were got away to a fine start, the first 400 yards being uphill. Holden was in front at the end of the second lap, with Bailey still on his heels, and no other change in the leading positions.
J T Holden (Tipton Harriers) leading the field at five miles. G W Bailey (Salford Harriers) is on the left and J A Burns (Elswick Harriers) the tall figure in white behind
J. Dougall, of Birchfield, in seventh place, was running very strongly, his form being a revelation to the club's supporters. Dougall joined Birchfield as a boy. Birchfield were leading Salford at this point by 63 points to 85, with the time 36min. 53sec. During the final visit to the country, a terrific struggle ensued for both individual and team honours. Bailey forged ahead and his club steadily picked up points. On coming into view again with three-quarters of a mile to go, Bailey was in front of Holden, with Potts, running very strongly, third. Holden dropped to third place, and with 300 yards to go Bailey looked all over a winner.
Winner Alex Burns (Elswick Harriers)
Burns, however, found remarkable finishing speed and caught his rival in the straight, to win a memorable race by four seconds.