STEVE DAWES can see the funny side of being Hampshire county cross-country champion – and yet not being the best runner in his own island.

And while Lee Merrien caught up with a spot of DIY on the weekend he returned from an altitude training stint in Kenya, Dawes underlined at a windy L’Ancresse yesterday why Guernsey’s No. 2 will suffice when it comes to beating Jersey’s best distance men.

Dawes (pictured) cruised to an impressive win in the six-mile senior men’s race and, at the same time, spearheaded a convincing team win for the home side to follow on from the earlier victory for Louise Perrio and the GIAAC women.

Guernseymen filled eight of the top 10 placings over three circuits of the tough two-mile loop, Jersey’s Bruno Francisco leading the distant challenge to Dawes and always looked likely to take the runner-up spot.

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