It was a historic day for Bristol & West AC at the English Cross Country Relays as both the senior men and women won medals in Mansfield.

Team manager Mike Down had been downbeat before the event, predicting that the junior squads had the best chances of a top-three finish, but clearly his seniors had other ideas with the women claiming a superb second place behind Charnwood, while the men sprung a real surprise with a hard-earned set of bronze medals.

"That must be our best ever result at this event," said a delighted Down. "With medals for both teams for the first time ever at these prestigious championships, we can justifiably claim to be this year's top club on the day.

"Not only were we the only club to make the podium in both events, but, on the combined result, we moved up from third place overall, behind Bedford and Aldershot at the National road relays two weeks ago, to the number one position in the country, fractionally ahead of Bedford and well clear of Aldershot, who we beat in both races."

There were heroes aplenty in both squads as athletes rose to the occasion and produced season's bests. In the women's race, Rebekkah Randell gave Bristol & West a superb start in fifth place, running a time quicker than her British international team-mate Claire Hallissey.

Inspired by such a positive opening, Kate Goodhead tore around the two-lap circuit to lift Bristol to third and although Hallissey had Olympic 1,500m runner Steph Twell on her tail, she didn't panic and delivered another super run to claim the silver medals.

"Rebekkah had an inspired run and that really set the scene for the other girls," added Down.

Sixth in 2001 had been the women's best, while last year they were seventh in an event that is extremely competitive. In contrast the men's best performance in the previous decade had been seventh two years ago, one of only two occasions they have made the top 10, so Down's delight was understandable.

"It was a fantastic effort and the team spirit was brilliant," said Down.

The spirit was no better illustrated than in the support Tom Russell was given by his team-mates in the thrilling fourth and final stage. Steve Mitchell, Phil Wylie and Tom Merson had worked the team into fifth to set up Russell for a dramatic finish – and he didn't disappoint.

Pacing his effort to perfection Russell gradually wound up the pace, conscious that he had a posse of top men on his heels and, with the finish line in sight, he was in a perfect position to strike.

"Tom was still 20 metres down the home straight but he caught Ian Hudspith in the last 10 metres and just dipped ahead of him," explained Down. "He was a real hero."

The juniors' medal hopes ended in disappointment, particularly the women. Great runs from Katie Knowles, who ran the fifth fastest time of the day, and Eleanor Wimshurst saw Bristol & West in the lead after two of three stages. Sadly the final-stage runner, Emily Merrick, failed to make the pick-up point for the coach so the team didn't finish and a great opportunity was missed.

There was nothing wrong with Richard Peters' run on the final stage of the junior men's except he fell two seconds short of the bronze medal.

Taking over from Nathan Young in sixth, Peters, who is feeling his way back to form after injury, found himself in a real battle that he seemed to have won with the finish line in sight.

"Unfortunately, as Richard moved through the field Luton's Daniel Clorley was following him and caught him towards the finish line and Richard didn't have time to respond," said Down.

Clorley clocked the second fastest time of the day, Peters the sixth.

The best result for Westbury Harriers was the 31st place for the Under-17 men's trio of Jon Barlow, Felix McGrath and Will Massey.

● Phil Parry ran a time of 2hrs 45mins 22secs to finish 229th, and 12th veteran over 45 in the ING New York marathon, and afterwards revealed he was disappointed with his performance.

"Despite a restrained first half, it all went wrong after 20 miles when my IT bands just seized up but it was a great experience," said Parry.

● The Dublin Marathon attracted more than 12,500 runners, including the Hogweed Trotters' Peter Willoughby, who smashed his personal best by 35 minutes with a time of 3hrs 10mins 36sescs, which placed him second in the veterans' over-60s.

● Clevedon AC's Nick Page finished seventh (59:18) in the Templer Ten, with team-mates Simon Hancock (13th, 60:24), Baaba Sow (14th, 60:42) and Richard Smith (18th, 61:56) also making the top 20 of the 207-strong field.

● Bitton Road Runners' David Waters finished sixth in the Gillingham Hilly 7.5-mile road race, in Dorset.

● The second race in the Burnham 5k Winter series along the esplanade takes place on Thursday with entries on the evening. For further information go to the race website at; www.bospool.com