Stevenage and North Herts AC had 10 of their athletes representing Hertfordshire at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, for the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships. Sara Bailey had an outstanding run, probably her best ever, to finish in 19th place in her u

Stevenage and North Herts AC had 10 of their athletes representing Hertfordshire at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, for the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships.

Sara Bailey had an outstanding run, probably her best ever, to finish in 19th place in her under-20 women's race.

This race was the trial for the Great Britain team at the World Championships, so it was full of potential internationals.

Sara's progress this winter has been impressive and bodes well for her move up to the senior ranks next winter.

With more than 300 runners in her under-15 girls' race, Joanne Mansell's 42nd place was also a sign of great things to come.

Also in the under-15 girls' event, which had 304 finishers, were Victoria Little (166th), Sam McCormick (167th) and Natasha Little (196th).

Under-13 girl Chloe Vernon-Hamilton, in her first representative race at this level, finished in 245th place (292 finishers).

Four boys also competed with Lewis Keeble (87th) and Matthew Leach (129th) in a field of more than 300 for the under-13 boys' race.

Callum McKechnie was 260th in his boys' under-15 race and Marcus McKechnie was 177th in the under-17 men's race.

* Other local members of the Herts team impressed.

In the senior women, Stotfold's Lizzie Hall (Herts Phoenix) had another great run to finish second.

Rachel Gibbs (Bedford and County) was 36th in her first senior championships event (255 finishers).

Liz Gibbs (Bedford and County) was 63rd in the under-20 women's event.

* Clifton schoolboy Ryan Parker was a silver medallist in the under-15 boys' event.

Representing Bedfordshire, the Samuel Whitbread Community College pupil had an early birthday present. He turns 15 next Friday (March 24).