MARK MERCIER registered his third win in four stages to stride ever closer to his maiden RBC All-Terrain Challenge success. The youngster’s convincing victory in last evening’s cross-country circuit race at Port Soif propelled him 2min. 10sec. clear of Dave Dyke with three races to come.

Only illness or a disaster the likes of which he suffered in last year’s event – a fall on the cliff path race – can surely stop Mercier, 18, becoming the youngest winner of the annual series.

Over seven laps of a circuit combining up-and-down cross-country and dust coastal path, Mercier put his foot down on the opening lap and had no need to look back as he won in 16-04, 29 seconds ahead of defending champion Dyke who regained second position by crossing the line 28sec. ahead of Dave Holmes.

In a year’s time, Mercier may have to watch out mostly for the sixth-placed finisher, the ever-improving Jonathan Bailey.

Still only 16, the Herm-based Elizabeth College student ran well to finish within a few strides of another past challenge winner, Francis Kehoe.

Bailey is certainly one for the future.

In Division Two, rugby star Jim Elliott finished strongly to pass Steve Bienvenu in the latter stages and win by 10 seconds, but Simon Streek is still the man to beat at this level after placing third just 23 seconds down on the stage winner.

Mark Tetlow won the Division Three race from Sean Murphy and Mark Babbe the Division Four event from Nick Bougourd.

This evening the 70-plus competitors tackle a series of 800m track races at Foote’s Lane.