ONE of the country's top distance runners, Nick Francis of Eltham-based Cambridge Harriers, began his cross-country season with a very creditable second place in the latest Kent Cross-Country League match.

Nick completed the five-mile course at Capston Park, near Gillingham, in 26mins 4secs, showing why he was one of the first British finishers in last year's London Marathon.

Francis' performance also helped the Cambridge Harriers A squad finish third in the overall team placings.

He was supported with a strong run from top club stalwart and top 800-metre specialist Andy Knight in 28mins 17secs, while Emeric Harault was 22nd in 28mins 34secs, followed by Andy Stowe in 27th place with a time of 29mins 6secs.

Other Harriers' finishers: W Laws 42nd; M Elsmore 43rd; S Birkin 67th: G Meredith 79th; T Ssimmons 80th: P Brunning 92nd; P Hadley 115th; P Cullen 117th; D Fisher 126; J Collis 129th; M Newell 138th; P Lewis 145th and L Pullen in 149th.

The results lifted Cambridge Harriers up to fourth place overall in both the four-man team and 12-man team leagues.

Any potential London Marathon runners, regardless of standard, experience, age or sex, can obtain free training advice from Cambridge Harriers' most experienced distance runners.

Cambridge Harriers will be opening up its club headquarters, situated between 58-60 Glenhurst Avenue, Bexley, from 7pm every Wednesday for anybody needing training advice in the run up to the next year's London Marathon.

For more details, call Andrew Stowe on 020 7865 3038.

November 14, 2001 11:08