Havant on Saturday 08/03/1997 10 Km (Junior Men)

The fiftieth Junior Men's English Cross-Country Championships took place at Staunton Country Park near Havant. The race was over a distance of six miles.

Midland champion Simon Wilkinson (Stourport AC) broke away from the field during the first half of the race. In second place was Southern title winner Ben Whitby (Borough of Hounslow AC) with Northern titleholder Andrew Caine (Tynedale Harriers) in third. At the midpoint of the race Wilkinson held a big lead with Whitby joined by Hounslow clubmate Sam Haughian and Kevin Nash (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC) chasing. Haughian tried in vain to catch Wilkinson who ran out a winner in 31:11, Haughian was second and Whitby third.

Wilkinson told Athletics Weekly: "The start was a typical junior race - too quick - but I just tried to get into a rhythm and I got away on the hill."

Borough of Hounslow AC won the team race from Oadby & Wigston Legionnaires AC by five points with Aldershot, Farnham & District AC third.