Cross-Country In Britain

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28480, 9 January 1958, Page 11

Cross-Country In Britain

(Specially Written for “The Press") LONDON. TTOPES are high 'in Britain that the coming cross-country season may see the nation re-emerge as one of the best in Europe. Although several prominent longdistance track runners are concentrating more on being at peak form at the time of the British Empire Games in Cardiff next year, there are sufficient proven runners available, together with an ’ unusually high number of promising younger athletes, to ensure a strong national team. G. Ririe and D. Ibbetson have both had very strenuous track seasons, and it is unlikely that either will be seen again in serious competition before Christmas.

H. Foord intends to compete only in minor events, with Cardiff in view, and K. Norris is at present in hospital. Of last season’s regular members of the international team, F. Sando, B. Heatley, A. Perkins, and R. Chorlton are in hard training. K. Wood, who broke four minutes for the mile in August, is at peak form. Younger middle-distance runners who are taking to the country this season include Pirie’s pupil, L. Reed; G. Knight, who set a British 10,000 metres record against Poland; K. Gilligan, winner of Britain’s only gold medal at the World Student Games; and several others. 1957-58 could well be Britain’s most successful season in international, competition.