Alex ends season in style as he claims national title

STRATFORD Athletic Club’s Alex Adams rounded off his winter season in exemplary style by winning the year-seven race at the National Primary Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire on 24th March.

In a line-up that included 168 of the country’s leading year-seven cross-country runners, Adams completed the 2.7km course in just 10.01.

Adams said that he found the course tough and that it was very muddy in parts. The slopes tended to be gentle rather than the steep climbs he much prefers.

The eventual second-placed runner, Buckinghamshire’s Thomas Redmond, led during the early stages before Alex took the lead as he entered the first loop of the muddy field.

Adams’ opponents pushed him hard right until the end, but he held on to win by two seconds, punching the air as he crossed the finish line.

Stratford AC were well represented in both the boys’ and girls’ races at this event.

In the boys’ race, Spencer Corder finished 39th in the boys’ race in a time of 11.06, while Theo Skirvin was 136th in 12.06.

In the girls’ race, a quartet of Stratford runners were led home by Tulah Searle, who finished 43rd in 12.00.

Leah Bowen twisted her ankle on the undulating course, but finished the race in 89th place in a time of 12.33.

Holly Newton placed 134th (13.05) and triathlete specialist Molly Bullock finished 151st (13.14). The race was won by Olivia Breed in a time of 10.45.