Jay Donawa pipped old rival Kavin Smith by a mere four seconds to retain his national cross-country title at Astwood Park on Saturday.

The Island's top two distance runners had battled it out over a tough, undulating six mile course, leaving the rest of the field in their wake.

But it was Donawa who pulled away at the finish to win in 36 minutes, 42 seconds with Smith right behind in 36.46.

In a disappointing senior field, which attracted just 12 runners, Tracy Wright came home third in 40.36.

Sylvester Jean-Pierre took masters honours in 41.32 but was beaten for fourth place by senior master (over 50) Philip Albouy who clocked 41.03.

In a senior female field of just three runners, Ashley Couper, winner of the recent PartnerRe 5K, outpaced Victoria Fiddick. Couper finished in 34.03 and Fiddick in 35.01.

Full senior and junior results, see Scoreboard.