Havant on Saturday 08/03/1997 5 Km (Junior Ladies)
Staunton Park, Havant, Hampshire hosted the Junior Women's National Cross-Country Championships. View From, the sports apparel company, sponsored the event.
Defending champion Birhan Dagne (Essex Ladies AC) established an early lead and was chased by Amanda Tremble (North Shield Polytechnics Club). With 1km to go Dagne had a 30 metre lead but on the hill towards the finish Tremble was closing, Dagne had to dig deeply to retain the individual title, eventually winning by 6 seconds. The effort over the finishing stretch left Dagne requiring oxygen. Tremble told Athletics Weekly: "I was right behind her [Dagne] at the hill but she pulled away again." Fell specialist Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers) took third place.
Birhan Dagne (Essex Ladies) Under 20 women's winner
Bristol AC took the team title beating Sale Harriers by nine points with Bedford & County AC third. Counters for Bristol were Paula Gowing (9th), Gayle Adams (24th), Becky Lambert (41st) and Stella Harrod (45th). Gowing told Athletics Weekly: "It's just about the first time we've all run together, one or more of us has always seemed to be ill or injured in the past."