The thirty-eighth Junior Men's English National Cross-Country Championships took place at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes. The race was consisted of one full lap of Campbell Park and loops of the Newlands area for the start and finish. The course went over a bridge over the Grand Union Canal and was 6 miles in length. The Provincial Insurance Company Limited continued their sponsorship of the race.
Karl Palmer (Highgate Harriers) led as the runners made their way into Campbell Park from the Newlands area. Following Palmer were Paul Roden (East Cheshire Harriers), Graham Clarke (Manx AC), Paul Taylor (Copeland AC), Nick Hopkins (Reigate Priory (Sovereign) AC) and Southern champion Andrew Hollens (Tonbridge AC). Roden hauled in Palmer and began to pull away. Roden increased his lead to 50 with Richard Findlow (Airedale & Spen Valley AC) and Palmer giving chase.
Roden continued to extend his lead as Palmer and Findlow fought for the minor medals. When they crossed the canal for the finishing loop Roden was 100 metres clear and he went on to win in 29:49, Findlow beat Palmer to the silver.
Roden told Brian Smyth at Athletics Weekly: "It wasn't easy, it was a tough course, especially over the other side. These are proper cross-country courses, but I seem to run well on all of them."
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