BOLTON Harriers' coach Christine Parker has landed one of the top jobs on the national athletics scene.

The veteran athlete and Leverhulme Park stalwart, has been appointed for a four-year stint as manager and selector of the England Junior Women's cross country and road running team.

The latest honour is the next step up the ladder of national athletics management, following her five years as manager of the Greater Manchester Women's track, field and cross-country team and two years as manager of the North of England cross country team.

And later this month she gets a second chance to impress at Great Britain level when she manages a strong team, featuring London marathon winner Liz McColgan and Horwich Harrier Heather Heasman, at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Majorca.

Christine admitted her surprise at winning the vote of the English Cross Country Association to manage the England team. "It was a bolt from the blue," she admitted, "but obviously I'm delighted and very proud that I won the vote."

Something has to give, though for the Bolton Area Health Authority worker. She aims to continue to coach and compete at the Harriers and will continue to manage the County team but is expected to quit as Northern manager.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.