Flo leads the way for Harrierswith another Brill-iant run

And the athletes from Nene Valley Harriers who took part in the big event also had plenty to shout about after some fine performances.

Pride of place, perhaps, went to the Under 20 men who all ran well to take fifth place in the team stakes.

James McCrae led the charge, covering the twisty, hilly 10k circuit in 39:11, which earned him a 27th place finish.

Alex Hampson finished one minute behind in 40th position. Hampson’s run was all the more impressive, given that as a 17 year-old he is in his first of three years competing in the age group.

Jevan Robertson, Nathan Tweedie and Bradley Spurdens supplied fine support finishing 87th, 89th and 97th respectively.

As so often this season, the Nene Valley ladies caught the eye with Flo Brill continuing her hugely successful season coming home 21st in the Under 13 girls race, the highest individual placing of the day for the club.

The success of the senior ladies has been a highlight of the cross-country season for Harriers, and the ever-reliable Cat Foley-Wray and Grace Mullins ran superbly. Foley-Wray finished 32nd, with a 32:57 clocking on the 8km course, while Mullins battled her way through the mud for 59th.

The team finished in a highly creditable 16th place out of the 84 competing clubs, with stalwarts Ruth Jones and Nicky Morgan making major contributions. Both claimed top 200 finishes in a field of over 700.

Megan Ellison ran strongly for 67th place in the Under 17 girls race, despite being one of the youngest runners.

Oliver Bowling placed highest (78th) in the boys Under 17 age group and Sam Oakley squeezed into the top 100, as the 99th Under 13 boy.

Josephine Fortune and Amber Park came home just outside the top 100 for the Under 15 girls.

Nene Valley’s senior men were led home by Mike Chapman in 577th position.