RUNNERS from Halesowen Athletics Club took part in the third fixture of the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League last Sunday.

Held at Warley Woods, this was the first time athletes had raced at the venue and it provided a fast downward start to steep inclines through woodland providing a real test of speed and endurance.

One of the event highlights was the under 11 boys race. Halesowen’s Sam Mannings took the win in 6.27 with team-mate Max Price placing third in 6.31.

The under 15 girls also raced well with five Halesowen athletes featuring in the top 10. The race was won by Wolverhampton and Bilston’s Amelia Samuels with Halesowen’s top finishers being Abigail Saker in second (12.47), Lily Higgins third (12.48), Casateria Ferreira sixth (12.58), Livvy Worth seventh (12.59) and Katrina Simpson eighth (13.03), giving them a clear lead in the team competition.

Under 17 Halesowen athlete Niall Geraghty was 13 seconds off a win, taking second place in 16.32 behind Birchfield’s Tom Dodd. Halesowen’s Joshua Timmins also raced well finishing fourth in 16.40.

Halesowen’s Isabel Hall placed 16th in the under 17 women’s event in 18.27, the race being won by Birchfield’s Remi Flavell.

Thomas Gill was first in for Halesowen in the under 15 boys race placing 28th in 12.54.

Orla Walker had a great race in the under 13 girls competition finishing 10th in 10.24 with teammate Siena Horton taking 17th in 10.34.

First in for Halesowen in the under 13 boys race was Joshua Turner who took 26th place in 10.14 with Ryan Power finishing 27th just two seconds behind.

Molly Figgitt was first in for the girls in the under 11 girls race placing 18th in 7.33. Wolverhampton and Bilston athlete Elizabeth Marshall won the race in 6.45.

Overall Halesowen are placed third in the team results behind Rugby and Northants and Wolverhampton and Bilston.