Smestow School, Wolverhampton on Saturday 27/02/1971 (Senior Ladies)

The thirty-ninth Senior Women's National Cross-Country Championships took place at Smestow School, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton. There was a record entry for the event with 242 registered in the senior race.

Rita Ridley (Essex Ladies AC), the winner for the last two years, was favourite for the individual title and Barnet & District AC were fancied for the team event.

Mr W E Turner, Governor of Smestow School started the ladies on their way. 24-year-old Rita Ridley was leading with half a mile to go when she fell. This set back did not affect her as she recovered to win by 10 seconds from Joyce Smith (Barnet & District AC) in 18:43 for her third consecutive victory. Gillian Tivey (Derby & County AC) was third.

In the team event Coventry Godiva Harriers won with 95 points from Barnet & District AC (118 points). Cambridge Harriers, winners in 1968, were third with 154 points. Counters for Godiva were Thelwyn Bateman (4th), Sheila Carey (7th), H Parker (29th) and Ann Smith (55th). Thelwyn Bateman told the Coventry Evening Telegraph "We were tremendously pleased with the result, we thought we might get third place. It's the first time the club has won this title."