CONGRATULATIONS to the Westbury Harriers trio of James Harrod, Tilly Spinney and Laura Chance for finishing in the top fifty at the 135th English ‘National’ Cross Country Championships at the weekend.
Harrod, who is a student at Leeds University, achieved a best-ever finish of 30th in the under 20 men’s race improving upon his 77th at Parliament Hill, London, twelve months ago.
Also in the under 20s age group Spinney ran strongly to finish 39th, again a significant improvement upon her 68th place in the 2022 ‘National’.
Spinney has enjoyed a good start to the year finishing second U20 at the South West Inter-Counties Championships last month, having the previous day won the Gloucestershire junior title.
Chance worked hard to place 43rd in the U17 women’s race which represents a highly creditable effort but isn’t her highest finish in the event as she placed 23rd as an under 15 three years ago.
But as everyone in the sport knows – especially if you have ever run in this terrific event – a top fifty finish is a real badge of honour so well done to the above.