Steve Cram’s hopes of gaining a place...

Steve Cram’s hopes of gaining a place on Britain’s team for the World Cross-Country Championships were lessened when he finished second to an unheralded asthmatic runner in a sprint finish of a 6,900-meter race.

The world mile record-holder was beaten in the Presto cross-country meet at Gateshead, England, by local runner Steve Parr, who was timed in 21 minutes 23 seconds to Cram’s 21:26.