Culpepper's triumph

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Asked who was best equipped for the title race in Boulder, Alan Culpepper admitted at the pre-race Press conference that it was probably him. He told the media -- and his rivals for the national cross-country championship --- that having lived in Boulder he knew how to handle the altitude. It wasn't just gamesmanship; he waited in a chasing group while Adam Goucher and Dathan Ritzenhein stormed off in front...then moved up, took the lead and never looked back.

Picture shows Culpepper (#98) having hit the front and passing a lapped runner inside the last kilometre.

The 34-year-old marathoner was the only man under 5-minute mile pace, covering the mud-clogged 12k course in 37:09 (4:49) pace. Goucher was second in 37:35; Ritzenhein third in 37:47.

(Picture: Simon Martin)