Prospect Park, Reading, Berkshire on Saturday 14/01/1939 (Junior Ladies)

The eighth Junior Women's National Cross-Country Championship took place at Prospect Park, Reading. The 2¼ mile course consisted of two laps and included a couple of difficult hills. The winning team became first holders of the new trophy presented by Miss A. M. Williams, winner of the first women's national cross-country championship.

Owing to the severe weather conditions during the previous month no northern teams had been able to do any training and did not compete. The southern teams had a bout of influenza and only one lady from Spartan Ladies AC turned up to race. The Midlands teams had challenges travelling due to fog but did arrive at the venue, the event turned out to be almost all Midland runners and only 39 started.

Running over two miles of sticky parkland Miss Joyce Hart (St. Gregory's AC) took the lead 300 yards from home and won in the good time of 14min 51sec. Miss Wells (Kynoch Ladies AC) was second 20 seconds behind and Miss Wixey (St. Gregory's AC) third.

After the race Miss Joyce Hart told reporters "My mother, thinks that to wear running shorts and take part in a race in front of spectators is about the most undignified thing a girl can possibly do. My doctor has warned me that have a weak heart and says I shouldn't run, but I don't believe it. I can't be in too bad health if I can beat all these other strapping girls." Miss Hart joined St. Gregory's, Cheltenham two years ago to keep fit. "I was then a nervous wreck," she said, "but I have since won the Midlands novice and the Midlands Junior championship."

Small Heath Harriers proved their superiority with some effective packing in the team event. The club finished twelve points ahead of St. Gregory's A.C., which caused a certain amount of surprise relegating Birchfield Harriers into third place. Small Heath became the first club to have won the event on two occasions.