Viner took her second successive win, while Goodman placed second in the men’s event, in the final League race of the season. Both runners were clear winners of the overall title, based on the best four placings in the five races of the series.

“The conditions were really tough,” said Viner. “My plan was to just see how the race played out and go for the win. It started comparatively slowly so I hit the front almost immediately and a gap grew without me really trying to pick up the pace. I worked hard up the next few hills and the race was won.” Viner had built up a 42-second lead by the end of the 6km course.

“I was more relieved than happy to cross the line,” Viner commented, “and I was absolutely chuffed to win the League. It’s always been something I’d wanted to do but I never thought I’d win it so soon!”

Goodman’s second place brought an end to a 14-race Metropolitan League winning streak going back to 2008. Nonetheless, Goodman achieved his main objective. “It was a must-run race for me in order to win the title, since I had missed one fixture earlier in the series,” he explained.

“Coming at the end of a hard training week, I ran it for the points, and tried to avoid injury. Peter Huck, of Newham, started the race at a very fast pace. I tried to close the gap but the mud was a bit too heavy, and so were my legs. I’m looking forward to the final race of the cross country season, the National Championships this weekend.”

Their title victories each earn Goodman and Viner a cash prize of £375 plus an additional £200 in sports vouchers.

Roger Bruck, 78, took high jump and long jump gold and 200m bronze in the Southern Counties Indoor Veterans Championships in Lee Valley.

Bruck’s high jump clearance of 1.21m at his second attempt set a new championship record.

He said: “I was delighted with this season opener by an old man nearing the end of his age group.”