SPRINGFIELD Striders faced a tough weekend of cross-country with the Southern Counties at Parliament Hill on Saturday and a Mid Essex League fixture at Highwood on Sunday.

A few club athletes travelled up to London to tackle the notorious Hampstead Heath course but it was nothing compared to the conditions at Highwood.

Rain added to an already saturated course at Highwood but the Striders took the honours in both the men’s and women’s races.

Malcolm Muir and James Smith gave the host club a one-two which was matched by Sam Bilbie and Polly Bridgman for the ladies.

Due to the tough conditions course planner Pete Tremain shortened the course by a mile, which proved a popular decision.

The men have increased their lead at the top and the ladies have now closed the gap on Grange Farm with one race to go at Little Baddow.

A busy few weeks lie ahead with the final Essex League cross-country clashing with the Great Bentley Half on Sunday.

The following week the Striders host their 53-12 fixture at Writtle Agricultural College before the Little Baddow race on February 21. The cross-country season ends at Ipswich on February 28.