ILKLEY Grammar School had three cross country teams at the English Schools national final in Newquay on Saturday.

After a very long journey down and an overnight stay, blue skies, bright sunshine and the sound of seagulls welcomed the teams to the pristine course set up around Tretherras School.

Twenty qualifying schools from across the country selected six runners to compete in each of the age categorised races. Ilkley Grammar School were commended by the organisers for getting three out of a possible four teams to the final. Only one other school equalled that achievement.

The junior boys’ team qualified third in the East Midlands regional final and tried really hard to compete amongst the best in England. Dom Coy (12) was the first Ilkley pupil across the line in 75th place and said: “It was a great experience racing in a national final but the big occasion and the long journey got the better of me.”

The junior girls’ team had been rehearsing their start in the practice pen prior to the race but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan and all six girls found themselves fighting at the back of the field of 140 runners.

After a gruelling first lap Bethan Morley (13) had managed to get into 23rd position and ran off into the distance away from the supporting crowd.

When she came round the corner into the view of the huge crowd at the end of the second lap she was first but closely followed by her local rival, Katie Atkinson, from Skipton Girls High School. As they turned the final bend the girls were battling strong but Atkinson managed to stride away into the home straight, letting Bethan claim second place.

Bethan said of the race: “It was exciting but tiring and I am delighted with my title as the second fastest under-14 cross country runner in England!”

It was the first time Ilkley’s inter boys’ team were represented in the finals and they were relishing the opportunity to race around the 4km course.

Previous winners include Olympians and Commonwealth medallists in recent years. Despite it being two days away from December, temperatures were pushing 15 degrees Celsius and the boys gave it their all but, after a poor start, they were on the back foot. Cameron Reilly (13) finished strong in 63rd, with a time of 18min 24secs, commenting: “I pushed myself harder than ever before, and left nothing out on the course!”

At the presentation ceremony, England runners Miranda Heathcote and Emma Stepto presented Bethan with a certificate. They then shared advice on how they went from winning the English Schools final to competing for their country.