MUDLARK Brian Rushworth defied atrocious weather conditions to win the British Masters Cross Country Championship at Maiden Castle, Durham City.

The 41-year-old Sunderland Harrier, third in the event last year, made no mistake as he took the lead early in the first lap, gradually extended it and then held off a storming finish from Norwich athlete Guy Amos.

Rushworth, who also took the North-East Veterans over-40 title, was delighted to have won on home ground and he admitted afterwards: "I never relaxed once - the gap I had was never big enough to be able to sit back. I pushed it every step of the way.

"I'm delighted to have won a national title - it is something I have concentrated on since Christmas and I knew it would be a hard race."

The event had been in jeopardy 24 hours earlier because of the gale-force winds which swept the North-East. But the conditions had improved enough to allow the organisers to erect a marquee and install a public address system.

But the heavens opened soon after the start of the men's race and in places the mud was more than ankle deep.

But Rushworth revelled in the conditions, which were reminiscent of those at Corby in 1990 when he won the Inter Counties title and led the North-East team, which included Steve Cram, to victory.

But the Wearside teacher did not complain about the conditions after winning the race by five seconds, having led at the end of the penultimate lap by 14 seconds.

He said: "It is a demanding course but for me it was an enjoyable cross country course."

Rushworth's only disappointment was not being able to lead Sunderland to the team title - their four counters finished 27 seconds behind Scottish club Cambuslang.

The individual bronze medal was won by former champion Rob Hand, of Durham City.