Sussex cross country runners will be out in force for the first County Championship meeting of the year at Lancing tomorrow.

Originally scheduled for Crawley, the race has been switched because of waterlogged conditions at Thomas Bennett School.

Ironically, Crawley runners could dominate the senior men's race and the Crawley club may win the team title for the first time.

Twelve months ago at Bexhill on a hilly course similar to Lancing, Crawley's Kevin Holland came second behind Patrick Davoren (Phoenix) who has indicated he is unlikely to defend his title.

At the recent Sussex League event in Stanmer Park, Davoren finished third behind Holland and Crawley clubmate Gavin Thompson and it is Thompson who is likely to prove the biggest rival to Holland if Davoren doesn't compete over the seven miles.

Holland has been runner up for the past two years and was third in 1998 so he will be eager to improve on those performances.

Two years ago, when the race was last held at Lancing, Brighton and Hove's Nigel Gates became the oldest ever winner of the title and he cannot be ruled out of the equation at the age of 47.

Brighton and Hove's Julia Cornford will not be defending her women's title and the race looks wide open with the in-form Jo Hinde, from Hastings, the biggest threat to Arena 80's Caroline Hoyte's bid to win for the third time in five years.

Over four hours of action get underway at 11am with the under-13 girls race.

- Reg Hook