Cross-country Championships ever held on Sunday in Costa Rica.

A total of 14 countries sent representatives but only 11 competed in the men's team events, which, like the women's, was dominated by Mexico.

In fact the top five team placings were identical for both the men and women with hosts Costa Rica, Guatamala, Puerto Rico and Jamaica finishing in that order after the powerful Mexicans.

St. Lucia were just ahead of Bermuda in sixth place.

The fact that Puerto Rico and Jamaica, who normally finish in medal-winning positions, were outside the top three is an indication of the quality of the teams, Bermuda coach Gerry Swan noted last night.

Swan was speaking from New York shortly after arriving in the US with the local team of Jay Donawa, Jamal Hart, Tracy Wright, Sheldon Thompson and Manuel Lopes. They are due back home today.

"It was a very good championship, the largest in the history of the event,'' noted Swan, adding that the 90-degree temperatures made it difficult for the competitors, even more so than competing at altitude at the Parque Metrotolitano Lar Sabana near Santiago.

A couple of countries were not able to complete the team event because runners pulled out due to the heat.

Out of 70 competitors in the men's division, Donawa was 16th overall, recording a time of 37 minutes and 55 seconds over the 11.4-kilometre (just over seven miles) route. The course consisted of four laps of 2.85K.

In leading home his team-mates, Donawa, the top runner locally this season, placed higher than a number of runners whose countries finished ahead of Bermuda. Second for Bermuda was Wright, 38th overall, while Hart was 47th, Lopes 49th and Thompson 50th.

"The team performance was what was expected. Anything better would have been a real bonus,'' said Swan.

"If we had gotten in the top four of five it would have taken an exceptional performance by everybody. I expected we would be able to perform at a level that would earn us sixth or seventh place.'' Bermuda captured the bronze medal last year. Swan thinks this year's performance can be improved upon at next year's event in St. Lucia.

"I think if we put things together for next year we can be honest contenders -- taking the position that all the teams that competed yesterday will be there again -- for maybe fourth or fifth place.''