Despite having some injured and ill athletes, Belgrave Harriers women remained on target to win Division Two of the Sweatshop Surrey League with another victory over frozen Richmond Park last Saturday.

They covered the shorter first lap at a safe pace and then picked up speed on the second longer lap.

Anne Hegvold again proved a dominant force, but was just pipped by winner Judy Oakley a former Belgrave Harrier who won in 21-49.

Triathlete Juliette Clarke, in her first cross country race since her schooldays, ran a brilliant race to finish just half a minute behind.

The performances of Nikki Haines (fifth) and Syreeta Stracey (ninth) together with support further down the field from Vicki Goodwin, Karen Fenner and Kate Dillane made sure the Belles secured the team victory.

They can now look forward to celebrating promotion after the final fixture on February 2.

Meanwhile, Belgrave's junior girls did more running than they bargained for after a marshalling error sent them on an extended route.

Louise Collier, who is having a rather unhappy season over the country, suffered a slight hamstring strain prior to the race, but still finished first scorer for Belgrave.

Excellent runs from Lizzie Hodges and Kirsty Burns, backed up by Sharena Mac-Gregor, Belinda Cobden-Ramsey and Emily Collins, saw the girls' team finish third and stay third in the table overall their highest position for years.

December 19, 2001 12:30