CROSS COUNTRY

Richard Goodman overcame the twin setbacks of a broken wrist and a 36-hour coach journey to win the World Schools Cross Country Championships in the Slovak Republic.

Taking over the lead at the halfway point, Goodman spent the remainder of the 5.1 km race in isolation, winning by a 30-second margin.

Goodman said: "I had contemplated not running at all, not because of the wrist but because of the effects of the coach journey. But I realised that with all flights cancelled because of volcanic ash, many of my competitors had also endured uncomfortable journeys and, after all, a world title was at stake."

● Deena Kastor finished 18th at the Virgin London Marathon, finishing in 2:36:20. The 2006 winner had her preparations disrupted by the volanic ash.