The forty-fourth Youth's English National Cross-Country Championships took place at Nonsuch Park, Ewell, Epsom in Surrey. This was the first time the event had been held at this location and the park is situated between Cheam and Ewell, King Henry VIII built Nonsuch as a hunting lodge when he created his hunting estate. Sponsorship was by Provincial Insurance P.L.C. a partnership which has existed since 1975 and was of great value to cross country running.
The course was 4 miles (7km) in length and was one loop and one lap plus the start and finishing straights.
Jon Gascoyne added to his youths' Southern and Inter Counties titles with victory in the youths' National, thanks to a burst 600 yards from home after a group of four had followed each other around most of the four-mile course.
Southern champion Jon Gascoyne (Harlow AC), Northern title winner Andrew Pearson (Longwood Harriers), Jamie Godden (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) and Phil Delaney (Liverpool Pembroke Harriers) were ahead after the first small loop. The foursome stayed together until 600 yards to go when Gascoyne made his move and went on to win in 21:42, Godden took second ahead of Delaney and Pearson.
Gascoyne told Athletics Weekly: "The hardest part was the last 100 metres, digging in on the muddy ground, I thought Pearson would go out, but it was the easiest race this year."
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