Nonsuch Park on Saturday 25/02/1989 6 Miles (Junior Men)

The forty-second Junior Men'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 6 miles (10km) in length and was two laps plus the start and finishing straights.

After one mile the leading group was twenty strong, Steve Brooks (Bingley Harriers) led the group, followed by Jonathan Dennis (Camberley & District AC), Darren Mead (Belgrave Harriers) and Mark Hudspith (Morpeth Harriers). At the two mile point this foursome had generated a slight lead over the chasing group.

Dennis faded as the second lap got underway and over the next mile Brooks opened up a lead of 50 yards. Mead was second with Hudspith 20 yards in arrears. Brooks went on to win in 29:51 from the fast finishing Dennis who managed to overhaul Mead (third) and Hudspith (fourth).

Brooks told Athletics Weekly: "I didn't expect anything really, I just kept going."

Brooks also led Bingley Harriers to the team title with Steven Green (10th) and brothers Martin (34th) and Andy Peace (40th) also counting. Aldershot, Farnham & District AC were runners-up with Sale Harriers third.