James Senior emerged victorious over City of Norwich team-mate Oliver Maskell in an exciting senior men's race at the Norfolk Cross Country Championships.

The result of the 10.1km and five lap race was in doubt until the finishing straight when Senior pushed ahead to win in 29:10.

The Colney Lane playing fields at the University of East Anglia proved a fine venue for the championships, organised by Athletics Norfolk.

Spencer Goodall of City of Norwich was the first of the masters athletes to finish the course and take a county title. The masters events for both men and women are proving to be hugely popular events.

In the senior women's 6.3km race Kelly Grant, inset, who was the pre-race favourite, ran from the front and retained her county title in style. Emma Patel of the North Norfolk Beach Runners ran well to take second place. Jo Andrews of Bungay was the first of the over 40s to finish and win a county championship.

Ben Spratling won the under 20 men's 8.2km race in 24:08. Sophie Alden took the under 20 ladies title over the 6.3km course – which will undoubtedly help her triathlon performances.

In the younger age groups, Luke Spear ran from the front to win the under 17 boys' championship while Annie Rooks took the under 17 girls' title over the three-lap 6.2km course.

The first seven places in the under 15 girls race went to City of Norwich athletes with Meredith Winship leading the rush. Jack White was the winner of the under 15 boys race ahead of Beccles and Bungay's Will Simm.

Femke Rosbergen, who has been outstanding on the track, won the under 13 girls' race. Another athlete to catch the eye was Charlie Wakefield of the Ryston club who built up a 20-second lead to clearly win the under 13 boys' 2.7km race.

There was a fair spread of both individual titles and team awards to show the event truly was county-wide. Norfolk's cross country runners will next be in action in the inter county event at Biggleswade next weekend.

The races in the younger age groups will also be used as the basis for selection for the London Mini Marathon in the new year.