North Somerset AC youngsters tested themselves against the best at the National Cross-Country Championships in Leeds at the weekend.
A squad of 47 travelled and the under-17 boys finished in a fine sixth place, with their four scorers inside the top 100.
Sam Gentry led them home in 34th, working well with Matt Howard (35th), as Alfie Hocking (79th) and Ben Hamblin (99th) gave support.
Jack Wilkinson, Will Cheek, Max Davies, Jamie Carroll, Callum Day, Jamie Van de Velde, Flynn Pankow, Jamie Pass and Louis Carr also featured in a 272-strong field.
Vicky Pearson and Ellie Maule ran well over a tough, undulating 6k course for the under-17 girls, while Keira Devereux and Millie Redman finished 46th and 93rd respectively in the under-13 race.
Blythe Jones, Olivia Maidment, Harriet Brown, Lyla Briffitt, Hannah Sheehan and Emma O’Connor all gained valuable experience in the 418-strong field.
In a fiercely-fought under-15 boys’ race, Will Scott came home in 164th place despite losing a shoe in the early stages.
Will Maine returned to form in 168th and Louie Brunsdon (187th) and Oliver Campbell (214th) also scored, with support from Oliver Andrews, Stan Hemmings, Max Brean and Adam Ray.
Ben Morgan ran without fear in his first season and Will Sandiford showed determination to finish the course despite suffering with illness all week.
Leading under-15 girl Alice Bridger Morales was unavailable but Holly Avery came home in 253rd place after a good battle with teammate Mary Hemmings (283rd) as Connie Rawlins, Abigail Taylor and Alysha Forsbrook completed the team.
Callum Smith and Joe Gentry took on a gruelling 9k course in the under-20 men’s race, with Smith finishing 113th after a strong finish.
But Gentry had to pull out mid-race after suffering with illness.
The under-13 boys’ race had over 400 finishers, who ran at a frantic pace over the 3k course.
Herbie Cooksley showed his appetite for the big races to finish in 191st place, as Sam Holloway battled to 229th.
Elliot Jeston (297th) and Kyle Burford completed the scoring, as Jacob Forsbrook, Zekki Harston and Joe Sandiford, despite a stitch, also finished at the glorious Harewood House estate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here