Parliament Hill Fields, London on Saturday 03/03/1973 (Youths)
The 28th English Youth's Cross-Country Championship took place at Parliament Hill Fields and over 400 runners started in dry conditions.
Kevin Steere (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) made an aggressive start to the race and established a 50 yard lead. At the end of the first lap Ray Crabb (Swindon AC) had cut Steere's lead to 30 yards. During the second lap Steere was caught by a group consisting of Crabb, Andrew Barnett (Andover AC), Barrie Moss (Notts. AC), Jim Graham (Motherwell YMCA Harriers), Southern champion Jerry Odlin (North London AC) and Martin Malone (Salisbury & District AC).
Steere faded badly with a mile of the race to run and Crabb overtook him with Moss giving chase. Crabb sprinted home to win by 70 yards from Moss with Odlin coming through to take third spot.
Winner Ray Crabb (Swindon AC) coming into the finish in the Youth's race
Ray Crabb told David Cocksedge at Athletics Weekly: "It was a case of chase Steere all the way and it was tough going. Barrie and I caught Steere eventually when he died, but because we were chasing him it was a catch-up game all through the race."
Achilles AC from Belfast took the team honours, packing four in thirty-seven for a 37 for a 44-point victory over Springburn Harriers. Third place went to City of Stoke AC.