Enfield on Saturday 02/03/1957 (Senior Ladies)
The twenty-fifth National Women's Cross-Country Championship took place at Enfield, Middlesex. The three-mile course consisted of one medium and one large lap.
Miss Diane Leather (Birchfield Harriers) faced what was probably her sternest opposition in this event when going for a fifth successive individual victory. There was a record entry of about 200 runners from 21 clubs. Her opposition included Mrs. Phyllis Perkins (Ilford AC) and Miss June Bridgland (Southampton AAC), the Southern cross-country champion. Also, the Northern champion, Miss A. Oliver (Gosforth), could not be ignored, Miss Roma Ashby (Coventry Godiva Harriers), was also expected to feature.
J Hall (Selsonia AC) leads a group of runners through a stream after 11/2 miles
Miss Leather started in brilliant style and after three quarters of a mile she was 50 yards clear of the field. On the second and larger lap with a 100 yard lead, however, she faltered badly up a stiff hill and met trouble in negotiating a stream, she tried to jump across, stumbled on the other side and winded herself. June Bridgland saw her chance and took it, winning the race after six years of trying. Miss Bridgland covered the course in 16:55 with Roma Asby second in 17:21 and Leather third in 17:33.
Mrs. Perkins, who finished fifth, led Ilford A.C., who retained the team championship for a third successive year. Other counters were M Westney (9th), M Beckford (17th) and M Critchley (24th). Runners up were Highgate Harriers with Southampton AAC third.