Norfolk youngsters converge on Sloughbottom Park for cross country championships

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

A straightforward course at Sloughbottom Park in Norwich was the venue with well over 400 athletes taking part in the championships.

The under-17 boys' 6km race had a clear leader in Will Mahoney in 22 minutes and 51 seconds, with Will Simm back to form in second place.

The senior boys' winner of the 6km under-19 race was Jack White in 21 minutes and 38 seconds.

Abigail Durand added to her win in the county event at Thetford with a decisive bit of front running in the under-17 girls' 3.2km race in 14 minutes and 18 seconds. Rachel Bruce finished in second place.

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Millie Solway was the winner on the senior girls' race.

In the under-15 boys' 4.8km race, newcomer Danny Adam was a convincing winner in 16 minutes and 58 seconds. James Smith ran well to take the second place.

Grace Jermy finished ahead of Hattie Reynolds in another highly competitive race in the under-15 girls' 3.2km.

Another to lead from the start was Madison Kelly in the under-13 girls' 1.6km. Connor also showed determination in winning the under 13 boys 2.2km race.

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The championships are more than just about the top performers, they are about participation too in this very popular event.

udging by the record entries in the county championships at Thetford recently, cross country running is in a healthy state.

At stake, too, was selection for the county team in the Anglian Schools Championship soon at the Royal Hospital School near Ipswich.

Club runners will also be building themselves up for the South of England Championships on Saturday at Stanmer Park, Brighton in what is a very busy period for cross country runners.

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The Norfolk Schools Cross Country championships 3rd raceByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)