RUNNERS were out in force for the annual Blackburn and Darwen Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships aiming for individual and team glory.

And with the top eight runners in each group going on to represent the borough in the Lancashire Championships, there was plenty up for grabs at Witton Park.

A total of eight races were staged from Year Seven to sixth form for both boys and girls.

St Bede’s dominated the boys’ individual races, winning three out of four, but missed out on the team titles.

In the girls’ races, individual honours were shared out, while Westholme won two of the three team awards.

In race one for Year 7 girls, St Bede’s stormed off to an emphatic victory winning both the team event and the individual event, having two girls on the podium in first and third place.

Amy Davies raced to what must have been a record margin ahead of Natasha Pim of Our Lady and St John’s with Alesha Hill of St Bede’s in third place.

Mia Salesbury of Westholme was fourth and Natasha Olsweski of QEGS fifth.

St Bede’s continued its success in race two where Matthew Ramsden left the field in his wake as he became the Year 7 boys champion.

Ethan Rickard of DACA was second and in doing so helping his school to the team prize while Leon Thomas of St Wilfrid’s was third.

The top five was completed by St Bede’s duo Anthony Beresford and Ethan Smith.

Kacper Gluc notched up St Bede’s third individual title of the morning securing the Year 8/9 boys title while QEGS began their medal haul by winning the boys’ team event.

Charlie Obank of QEGS was second with Joe Gebbie of St Bede’s in third. Jack Prince of DACA was fourth just ahead of Ryan Chatburn of Witton.

In the Year 8/9 girls’ event, Demi Aspinall of Darwen Academy crossed the line first, but Westholme took the team title thanks to the efforts of Anna Lonsdale (third), Lucy Lambert (fourth), Lucy Barrett (10th) and Anya Pasterak (11th).

Megan Dewhurst of Darwen Vale was second with Anna Lonsdale and Lucy Lambert (both Westholme) third and fourth respectively while Nicole Edwards of St Bede’s was fifth.

The senior girls’ race involving Year 10/11 pupils was arguably the most tightly contested race of the morning.

The top two schools of St Bede’s and Westholme could only be separated by a solitary point in the team event, Westholme was declared the winner, beating St Bede’s by just one point.

The individual title went to Aleena Awan from Pleckgate with St Wilfrid’s Olivia Wilson second and Brenna McParlan of St Bede’s in third place.

DACA pair Eleanor Collins and Taylor King were fourth and fifth.

An impressive display from Byrom Abbott of St Bede’s secured the Year 10/11 boys individual title, with Zak Hargreaves of DACA second and Nick Smith of St Wilfrid’s in third.

Smith’s efforts, along with John Mather (fourth), Chris Olive (eighth), Jack Wilkinson (10th) and Corey Tate (11th) helped St Wilfrid’s clinch the team crown.

In the individual race, Bradley Logan of Witton completed the top five.

Depleted fields in the sixth form events for both boys and girls did not detract from the sterling efforts of the competitors.

Joe Campbell from Blackburn College won the boys title ahead of a trio of QEGS runners Rob Buckley (second), Chris Richardson-Dulling (third), Nick Cooper (fourth). Shoab Ahmed of DACA was fifth.

Katie Buckingham wonl the 6th Form Girls title while QEGS took both of the sixth form team titles.

“It was great to see so many young people getting out of bed on a Saturday morning to brave the elements as they represent their schools in what has to be one of the highlights of the schools sporting year,” said Andrew Mercer, school games organiser.

“Every child who competed should be congratulated for their efforts and success.

“A massive thank you must go to the PE staff from St Bede’s who organise and run the event every year efficiently and effectively.

The top eight runners in each race will now represent the borough in the Lancashire Championships which will again be held at Witton Park on February 7.