Parliament Hill on Saturday 25/02/2012 (12:35) 6 Km (Youths)
The sixty-seventh Youth's English National Cross Country took place at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath and was sponsored by Saucony.
Southern champion Jonathan Davies (Reading AC) controlled the race in the early stages and headed the lead group on the race down the final hill. However, Matt Shirling (Liverpool Harriers) was the quickest over the last 400 metres and claimed a surprise win by one second from Ryan Isaacson (Bedford & County AC). Hobie Martin (Bristol & West AC) picked up a bronze medal.
Youth race winner Mathew Shirling (Liverpool Harriers)
Shirling, who was only seventh at the Northern championships, told Athletics Weekly: "That was my best race ever. I was hanging on at one stage and near my limits but then thought I've got to go for it and take the risk."
In the team race Aldershot, Farnham & District AC finished just seven points ahead of Tonbridge AC with Bristol & West AC third.