WORCESTERSHIRE'S talented young runners raced against schools from across the country in gruelling conditions last weekend.

Hereford and Worcester Schools' Athletics Association competed in the 'New Balance' English Schools' Cross Country Championships at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds on Saturday, March 17 in snow, wind and sleet.

Ann Tiptree, the cross country team manager, said: "A full turnout and the positive attitude to race in these conditions was a credit to the athletes and their parents and carers."

The athletes represented their county at a national level after making it through the school, district and county and competitions. At Leeds, they competed in races with up to 350 athletes from 44 counties.

The Junior Boys age group achieved the best result for the team, coming 15th thanks to a haul of 663 points. Four athletes from the group finished in the top 100: Max Price from Haybridge High School in Hagley; Henry Faizey from Woodrush High School in Wythall and Redditch's Josh Robins and Joe Cunliffe from Trinity High School and Ridgeway Academy respectively.

Harrison Mayne from St Augustine's School in Redditch was Worcestershire's top finisher in the Intermediate Boys race.

Representing the girls, Lily Saxon from Ridgeway Academy in Redditch came 32nd in the Junior race at 12 minutes, 9 seconds, only one minute behind the winner. Natalie Hatfield from Bromsgrove School and Bewdley High School's Libby Hawkswell also finished in the top 100. All three helped to make the Junior Girls the highest ranking team amongst the three girl's groups.

The Girl's Team captain Abbie Saker, from Bromsgrove School, came in 98th in the Senior Girls race, her latest achievement after having represented Hereford and Worcestershire in every year of school age group eligibility. Redditch's Ellen Bowen from St Augustine's School came third in the team.