KEIRA Devereux won’t forget the third Gwent Cross Country League race in a hurry.
The North Somerset AC youngster (pictured left) not only had to contend with a tough, tradition course in atrocious conditions at Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar, but also was forced to run much of the under 13 girls’ race with one shoe.
Despite that handicap Devereux hung on to finish runner-up to back up her two wins this season and maintain her lead in the overall standings.
She also led home another strong team display with support from Millie Redman in fifth, which should see her move to third overall.
In addition Blythe Jones had a tremendous run for her best finish of the season in eighth.
“Third overall before this one, they’ll now be hoping to have closed the gap on Carmarthen and Cardiff Archers just above them,” said a club spokesman.
The U17 men’s squad showed their strength in depth with Sam Gentry making a welcome return to form. Gentry relishes the heavy conditions and ran his best race for a long while finishing strongly for a morale-boosting victory though Westbury Harriers’ Abdi Hussain ran him close come the end after also recovering from a lost shoe in the early stages.
Bottom age Alfie Hocking continues to impress with successive seventh place Gwent League finishes with Matt Howard in his first country race of the season close behind in ninth.
Ollie Lock’s hard fought 19th place should see the U17’s close the gap on Westbury Harriers and Cardiff AC above them.