Whitley Abbey School, Coventry on Saturday 24/02/1968 (Senior Ladies)
Whitley Abbey School in Coventry hosted the thirty-sixth Women's Senior National Cross-Country Championships. The course was one small and two large laps making up the 3½ miles, the going was firm and the terrain was varied and included some hills. 20 teams and 171 Senior women had entered the race.
Pam Davies (Selsonia Ladies AC), who had won the individual title for the previous three years started as favourite.
The course was bathed in sunshine for the start of the senior race and at the end of the small lap the leading group consisted of Davies, Anne Smith (Mitcham AC), Phyllis Lowis (Bury & Radcliffe AC) , Sheila Taylor (Coventry Godiva Harriers) , Joan Page (Cambridge Harriers), June Hale (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC), Margaret Moir (Barnet & District AC) and Phyllis Perkins (Ilford AC). At the mile point 33-year-old Davies made a break and began to draw away from the rest.
Going into last lap Davies was still clear and was followed by Hale, Taylor, Anne Smith, Page, Perkins and Moir. During the final lap Sheila Taylor moved into second place but could not challenge Davies who won in 21:26.
Runner-up Sheila Taylor (Coventry Godiva Harriers)
This was an incredible fourth consecutive victory for Pam. Phyllis Perkins picked up another National medal with third place.
Third place team Coventry Godiva Harriers - Sheila Taylor, Gabrielle Carpenter, Anne Smith and Thelwyn Bateman
The team event was remarkably close with the first three only separated by six points. Cambridge Harriers were the victors led home by June Page. Cambridge edged Aldershot, Farnham & District AC by 4 points with Coventry Godiva Harriers in third spot.