Seven young Harriers swapped the Royal Blue vest for the Palatinate and Gold colours of Durham County last Saturday, having earned selection for the English Schools Championships at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

It was a step up in class from local competition, but all seven fared well on the fast, undulating course, and will be better cross-country runners for the experience.

Jess Fox led the way in the Senior Girls race won by the outstanding Sabrina Sinha of Kent. In her final appearance in the English Schools over the country, Jess finished a highly creditable 57th, second counter for Durham, who placed 23rd team.

In the corresponding Boys race, Mark Smith was third Durham counter, just failing by just three places to make the top 100, with Jonny Howe 203rd and Chris Bell 240th. London’s Alex Yee was a dominant winner of the individual title and is one to watch, whilst in the team race Durham placed 16th.

The other Harriers representation came in the Intermediate age-group, where Sarah Knight was second Durham counter in 179th and Eve Quinn finished 317th in the Girls event, helping to Durham to 33rd position, whilst amongst the Boys, Sean Mackie placed 224th and the county ranked 27th.