Blackheath Harrier Dave Heath continued his build-up to the World Cross Country Championships in Belfast by competing in Birmingham at the weekend.

Heath ran in the 3,000 metres at the AAA Indoor Championships and came a close third behind Paul Tulba ,from Basingstoke, and Julian Moorhouse, beaten less than a second.

But it provided a valuable workout for Heath.

A week earlier he also got in some first-hand experience of the world title course when he took part in the IAAF World Cross Country Challenge in Belfast.

The 33-year-old ran brilliantly to finish seventh, only 21 seconds behind South African Hendrik Ramala, and was the highest-placed Briton in a field crammed with world-class athletes which included English title-holder Dominic Bannister.

Heath's decision to run in Birmingham meant he missed the Harriers' defence of their Southern Area Cross-country title at Parliament Hill Fields.

But that did not stop the all-conquering Harriers from taking the team prize for the sixth time in seven years.

Mark Steinle led home the Harriers' team by claiming gold.

Back to the AAA indoor Championships and there were a number of other fine displays from Harriers' members.

Emeka Udechucku came second in the shot with a throw of 16.99m behind Team Solent's Gary Sollit

While Paul Fisher, who clockeed 1m 55sec, took the bronze medal behind Coven-try's Andy Hunt in the 800 metres.

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