Country Championships.

Against distance running powerhouses Mexico and the traditionally stronger Puerto Rican and Jamaican teams, their failure to win either a team or individual medal was hardly surprising.

But the men, led by Mike Watson, put on a gutsy and impressive display to finish fourth among the seven teams, while the women, led by Julia Hawley, had to settle for fourth out of four.

Watson, who went out hard, appeared to be fading midway through the race, but dug deep into his reserves over the final kilometres to finish a creditable 17th place overall in 38:49, less than four minutes behind the winner.

Jamal Hart, last month's local Front Street Mile champion, shadowed Watson almost throughout the 11 kilometres, finishing right behind his team-mate in 18th place (39.06).

And not far behind came Tracy Wright (20th in 39:40) and veteran Harry Patchett (22nd in 40.09) to complete the quartet who contributed to Bermuda's points total.

Roger Dill, overtaken by Patchett in the second half of the race, placed 26th in 40:58 and Winton Woodley 32nd in 44:17.

Watson, his inclusion in the team criticised by some prior to the race having run only one event in this season's domestic cross country series, was quick to make a point after taking local honours.

"I want to thank MAAC (Mid Atlantic Athletic Club) and Brett Forgesson,'' he said. "In the past I've always run well under criticism, and it honestly helped me today.

"I always try to please everyone, it's probably a fault of mine. Unlike some people, the minute you talk badly about them they fold under the pressure. I do the opposite.

"But I'm really pleased because I've been pretty sick the last two weeks. I didn't talk about it before the race, but for a few nights I couldn't even train. I've had a lot of cold in my chest and I think I was suffering from a bit of scarlet fever last week.'' Watson emphasised that representing his country had brought out the best in him.

"The bottom line is you have to run in the big events, and you have to choose what your big events are going to be. Some people thought the 10K (International) was a big event for them so they performed well. I had to be realistic, I wasn't in the best of shape at that time. I was suffering a few injuries.

"I was always looking forward to this. This is what I really enjoy -- competing for Bermuda.'' As for his battle with team-mate Hart, Watson said: "That was team tactics.

Contrary to what some people believe, our strategy was for me to go out with the leaders and to attempt to hold some of the other runners back and then let our team play catch-up.

"But I saved something for the end. I wanted to finish strongly.'' Hart said he had no regrets about finishing second local to Watson, noting he'd enjoyed a good race.

"I didn't want to go out too fast. I just wanted to stay near Mike and Tracy.

I'm very pleased. I got close to Mike on the second section but he's very fast on the downhills, that's where he pulled away from me.

"I'm much more focused mentally now. I've always been strong physically, but this year it's all coming together.'' For Patchett, making his international debut at 45, the oldest competitor in the field, the experience was one to savour.

"I'm just a late bloomer, I guess,'' he joked. "I've enjoyed it, the whole weekend has been tremendous.

"I knew a lot of these runners were too fast for me. I had to pace myself and try and reel some of them in. And that's what I did.'' In the women's race, Hawley overhauled team-mate Donna Watson on the second lap to take local honours in 21:12, finishing a superb ninth overall.

Melanie Claude finished 13th in 22:01, Watson 14th in 22:56 and Sherry Wade 16th in 25:26.

Said Hawley: "I'm thrilled. I really enjoyed the course. It's tough, but I was in much better shape than last year. It was nice to go round and feel good.

"I didn't even realise Donna was in front and then I passed her and I tried to help her, but I think she was hurting.'' Added Claude: "It was a tough course. I gave it all I could and the weather today helped. It was perfect.

"This was the first big cross country meet I've ran and I certainly enjoyed it.'' Photos by Tamel Simons TEAMWORK -- Eventual men's winner Santos Ortega Rosario (30) shares the lead with team-mate Carlos Bautista Abad (29) with silver medallist Jurman Mitchell (11) of Jamaica tucked in behind.

OFF AND RUNNING -- Bermuda's six man team, from left, Tracy Wright (38), Roger Dill (36), Mike Watson (34), Winton Woodley (37), Harry Patchett (35) and Jamal Hart (33), answer the starting gun in Saturday's CAC cross country championships.

JULIA HAWLEY -- first local woman to finish.