Thames Hare & Hounds Ben Reynolds and Peter Giles, Herne Hill's Keith Newton and Belgrave's Charlie Dickinson are all in action for England in the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country match at Birmingham's Perry Park tomorrow (Saturday).

Reynolds is favourite to win the men's over 45 title after striking gold over 5,000m in the World Masters Championships in August.

Meanwhile, Ann Bath from Surbiton-based 26.2 Road Running Club represents Scotland in the women's over 60 race.

* A party of athletes from Hercules Wimbledon flew out to Cuba yesterday (Thursday) to compete in a series of road races in the capital, Havana, on Sunday. They will be in action in the annual half-marathon and 5km races on Sunday.

It is the latest of a series of international exchanges undertaken by the club. Earlier this year, a group of Cuban athletes visited London and previously, Hercules Wimbledon have sent teams to France, Norway, Poland and the Czech Republic.

* More than 100 youngsters took part in the opening Downs League cross country meeting on Epsom Downs on Sunday.

Sutton & District's Daniel Haughton won the under 11's race in 11 minutes 48 seconds ahead of Matthew Stevenson (12:17) and Sammy Obitz (12:24) who led Hinchley Wood Primary School to the team honours.

U11 teams: 1 Hinchley Wood Primary School 34; 2 Sutton & District 42; 3 Epsom & Ewell 44; 4 Kingston & Polytechnic 57; 5 Long Ditton St Mary's Primary School 93.

* Sutton & District had three in the top four in the U13's race but were still pipped by Croydon for the team honours.

Sutton's James Hancock (12:12), Ben Barry (12:21) and Josh Bartholomew (12:24) finished behind race winner Harry Stainforth (12:11) from Croydon.

U13 teams: 1 Croydon 30; 2 Sutton & District 36; 3 Epsom & Ewell 49; 4 Kingston & Polytechnic 53; 4 Holland Sports 67.

* Kingston & Polytechnic packed six into the first eight to fill the top two team places in the U15 contest. Nikolaj Schubert (13:28), Tom Dawson (13:36), Adam Curran (13:47), Jenny Miller (13:50) Matthew Stevens (14:28) and Minty Allen (14:30) finished behind Croydon's Patrick Lucas (11:53) and Holland Sports' William Rady (12:49).

U15 teams: 1 Kingston & Polytechnic 18; 2 Kingston & Polytechnic B 45; 3 Croydon 45; 4 Holland Sports 48; 5 Epsom & Ewell 53; 6 Sutton & District 63.

* Over 50 veteran Ant Budarkiewicz won Kingston & Polytechnic's seven miles cross country title in Richmond Park on Saturday in 40:23. He finished more than 50m ahead of his younger club-mate Mike Maranzano (40:39).

The club championship was staged in conjunction with an inter-club match. Hercules Wimbledon's Chris Coles was third in 40:48 ahead of two Kingston & Polytechnic veterans Andy Arbour (41:07) and Mark Reed (41:17).

Hercules Wimbledon's Hugh Saxby (43:13) and Fred Green (54:00) were the first veterans over 55 and over 60, respectively.

Match result: 1 Kingston & Polytechnic 19; 2 Hercules Wimbledon 64; 3 Milocarians 65.

* Dorking & Mole Valley host the second of this season's Surrey Ladies cross country league meetings at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, tomorrow. The first race for senior ladies is due off at 12noon. Ranelagh, Herne Hill, Hercules Wimbledon, Thames Hare & Hounds, Belgrave, Kingston & Polytechnic, Epsom & Ewell, Stragglers, 26.2 Road Runners Club, Elmbridge Road Runners, Walton and Wimbledon Windmilers are among clubs taking part.

The second Sweatshop Surrey Men's League Division One match is being held at Farthing Downs, Coulsdon, tomorrow, with the Division Two match at Dorking after the women's races and the Division Three and Four matches at Lloyd Park, Croydon. In all cases, the young athletes race is at 2.30pm followed by the seniors at 3pm.

The Inter-Financial Services cross country championships are being staged in Richmond Park, near the Roehampton Gate entrance next Wednesday. The women's race is at 2.15pm followed by the men at 3pm.