CHELTENHAM and County Harriers' senior men finished eighth at the final Birmingham Cross-Country League Division One fixture in Northampton.
Starting and finishing the day eighth in the overall standings, the Gloucestershire champions achieved their aim of a top-half finish.
Seb Citizen Replica Watch Foy again led the charge as he looked to build on his fine run of recent form.
Placed in 13th after three of the four undulating laps, Foy looked on course to beat his previous best league finish of 14th. However, in the final half-lap he dropped back two places to end the race 15th.
Elliot Prince wanted to capitalise on his improved form and went off fast to place just outside the top 50 after the opening lap, with Gloucestershire junior men's champion Will New not far behind.
The experienced pairing of Russell Forsbrook and Roger Mullins were content to sit further back, while Gloucestershire league champion Corin Hughes started cautiously.
By the halfway point Mullins and Forsbrook had caught New, Yves Saint Laurent Shoes with Mullins trying to chase down Prince. With one lap to go Prince was still ahead and just outside the top 50, with Mullins closing.
The pair ran the final mile together before Mullins opened a few yards over his rival with 200m to go.
In the final straight Prince showed a turn of speed to draw level with Mullins, who replied to edge out his Pandora Beads Wholesale team-mate.
Mullins' efforts earned him 51st, one second and place ahead of Prince.
With one lap to go Forsbrook was just ahead of New, with Hughes further back and still outside the top 80.
Hughes put in his trademark strong last lap, passing his team- mates to go over 20 places to finish third Harrier in 57th.
Forsbrook was the next Cheltenham athlete home in 65th, with New continuing his recent good form in 75th.
Veterans Andy Gore and Ian Giles provided vital back-up in 101st and 115th respectively.
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