Hundreds expected for cross country champs | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

More than 300 competitors are expected to arrive in Stratford this Saturday, for the New Zealand Cross Country Championships. Held for the first time in Stratford, spectators are promised tough competition from the entrants. The first race begins at 10am at the Startford Race course.

Hot favourites include: Senior Women (1.40pm) ? Melissa Moon - Wellington - Two-time World Mountain Running Champion. Has won 21 National titles, which include numerous NZ Mountain titles. ? Jessica Ruthe - Auckland - Represented NZ at 2006 World Cross Country Championships in Japan. Won the NZ Track 10,000m Champs in Inglewood this year.

Senior Men (2.30pm) ? Phil Costley - Canterbury - Phil has won 29 National titles, including two New Zealand Mountain titles ? Ben Ruthe - Waikato Bay of Plenty - Won NZ T&F; 5000m Champs in 2006. ? Alastair Snowdon - Taranaki. ? Dale Warrender - Auckland - Dale represented New Zealand in the 2004 Olympic marathon. On debut he finished 5th at the 2005 World Mountain Running Trophy in Wellington. Won 2006 NZ Mountain running champs. Also won 10,000m track champs.

Masters Men (10am) ? David Drummond (MM40-44) - 2nd in last years Cross Country. ? Colin Earwaker (MM50-54) - 1st in age group Mountain Running Champs (Mountain Running. Exponent) ? Trevor Ogilvie (MM55-59) - 2nd in last years Cross Country. ? Max Dravitzki (MM60-64) - Taranaki.

Masters Women (10.40am) ? Perhaps the local ladies battling it out - Janice McCallum, Cheryl Leuthart, Ra Rubick, Karen Gillum-Green, Vicky Adams, Lynne Mackay & Thelma Cochrane.

Women 19 (11.30am) ? Canterbury's Lucy Oliver - Won NZ Mountain Champs. ? Wellington's Alice Mason.

Men 16 (12 noon) ? Regan Bones - Waikato Bay of Plenty - 2nd NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country - Jnr Boys. ? James Holden - 3rd NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country - Jnr Boys.

Women 16 (12.25pm) ? Holly Van Dalen - Manawatu/Wanganui - 3rd NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs Snr Girls ? Kelsi Patterson - Auckland - 1st NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs - Snr Girls ? Hannah Newbould - Canterbury - 1st NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs Jnr Girls

Men 19 (1.05pm) ? Hugo Beamish - Manawatu/Wanganui - 1st NZ Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs Snr Boys ? Aaron Jackson - Auckland - Won NZ Mountain Running Champs.