MORE than 600 runners lined up for the 31st running of the Cliveden Cross Country at the National Trust-owned Cliveden Estate on Sunday.

The event, one of the first organised runs of the year, is run by Burnham Joggers and was expected to raise around £4,500 for a number of charities including Burnham Youth Club, Chattertots (a speech and language therapy charity for children with Down’s Syndrome) and a local prostate cancer branch.

Alex Miller (pictured wearing his Datchet Dashers top) crossed the line in 36 minutes and 10 seconds (36.10) for victory.

Miller also runs for Belgrave Harriers but on this occasion used his second club claim as a Dasher because it was one of their club championship races.

It was his second win in the Cliveden Cross Country after his last came in 2014.

Nick Buckle was second male in 37.27, whilst Dave Lee – also a Datchet Dasher – was third with 37.32.

PHOTO GALLERY - Cliveden Cross Country 2016

Chris Bradfield (39.09), Matthew Whitehouse (40.52), and Jonathan Holland (42.20) are further Datchet Dashers members to finish prominently.

Mark Harris took fourth position in 38.20 for Team Trisports.

Miller's partner Samantha Amend was first lady to cross the line in 41.04. Amend was claiming her fourth title in five years.

Louise Durman was the second lady in 43.13 and Susan Jarman took third place with 45.14.

Burnham Joggers' very own Nigel Sullivan was 17th in 41.22 and Claire Pusey won the V40 category in 46.13.

Maidenhead Athletics Club were represented by Jon Kew (43.12) and Anthony Hall (44.44), while Stephen Norris (45.22) was the first member of Thames Valley Harriers to cross the line.

Owen Byrne of Bearbrook Running Club stopped the clock at 41.12 to win the male 50-59 category.

Reading Runners went home with a prize after Nigel Hoult won the male 60-69 category with a time of 46.54.

Penny Cutler clocked 51.31 to take home the female 50-59 title in the colours of Handy Cross.

Anne Henson finished in 59.21 to win the female 60-69 race, while Brendan Cradden took home the male 70-plus prize in a time of 59.23.

It was a well organised event with many members of Burnham Joggers assisting with the organisation.

Race director Nick Cole was extremely pleased with the turnout given the recent bad weather, and the event has grown from strength to strength over the past few years.

Still to come is the Beaconsfield five-mile event held on Easter Monday (March 28) and the much-loved Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on August 14.

Visit www.burnhamjoggers.org.uk to find out more about the Burnham Joggers and to enter their upcoming races.