Staunton Country Park on Saturday 08/03/1997 (12:00) 6 Km (Youths)

The fifty-second Youth's English Cross-Country Championships took place at Staunton Country Park near Havant.

Southern champion Gavin Thompson (Crawley AC) battled with Chris Thompson (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC) early in the race with Northern titleholder John Mooney (Morpeth Harriers) close up. As the race unfolded Midland gold medallist Ryan Falkner (Oadby & Wigston Legionnaires AC) and Ollie Laws (Telford AC) joined the front group with the lead changing hands several times. Gavin Thompson was the stronger at the finish beating Laws by five seconds with Faulkner third.

Gavin Thompson told Athletics Weekly: "It was a tough course and it was a hard pace all the way round with different people leading. I thought we had an extra loop and when some of them picked it up I thought they were making a long run for home. But last week gave me so much confidence and I came through to win it."

The team award went to Southern champions Blackheath Harriers who beat Aldershot, Farnham & District AC by 23 points with Solihull & Small Heath AC third.