The twenty-eighth Women's National Cross-Country Championships took place at Morden Park, Surrey. The course was 2½ miles and consisted of two laps.
A close fight for the individual title was expected with likely contenders being Roma Ashby (Coventry Godiva), Joyce Byatt (Highgate Harriers), last year's winner, Phyllis Perkins (Ilford A.C.), Madeleine lbbotson (Longwood Harriers) and Ann Oliver (Gosforth).
In the team event the holders, London Olympiades AC, were led by Diane Charles, better known by her pre-marriage name of Diane Leather.
A coach from the Midlands which contained competitors, officials and numbers was late arriving which led to a delayed start. The weather was fine and sunny, though a cold wind blew, and the runners were kept hanging about after the scheduled start time.
Joan Briggs (Selsonia Ladies AC) did most of the early pace setting, with Joyce Byatt close up, others in contention at the end of the first lap were Diane Charles, Ann Oliver and Phyllis Perkins, followed by Roma Ashby (Coventry Godiva Harriers) and Pam Jones (Ilford AC).
On the second lap Joyce Byatt took the lead well before the finish and successfully defended her title going on to win in 15:22, 8 seconds clear of runner-up Briggs. Ann Oliver was third with Phyllis Perkins fourth.
Ilford AC led by Perkins won the team event with four in the first twenty-two to amass 49 points.
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