On Saturday, I ran the English Schools Cross Country Championships, at the Hop Farm in Kent. There were 330 boys racing in my category, the junior boys which was Year 8 and 9. In my race there were 46 different counties, all over England, from Norfolk to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. I was running for Sussex after winning the Sussex Schools. There were pens this time, which was much better, and I was first at the front.
When the start gun went off it was incredibly fast. The race was completely flat and it got quite congested because it narrowed quickly. I got pushed and people fell over and I was outside the top 100, at the first corner. I made-up places throughout the race, by having to run hard on the outside and catch and pass runners. Going onto the second lap I had caught a lot of positions and was in 13th. With 800m to go I was in 11th place running with another boy. I made an attack and got a gap on him .
I finished 10th in the end, which I was really pleased and happy with and I was only 20 seconds off the top 3. I was so glad I made the final attack as it meant I made the England team to race in the SIAB International Cross Country, in Pembrey, on the coast of West Wales this Saturday. It’s going to be a great experince to race internationally and in another country for the first time. I received an England vest and other England kit to race in and wear. It felt like, definitely one my best races yet.
As I came 10th, I don’t race the individual race as only the top 8 do, but I’ll be running in the cross country mixed relay. I stay in a team hotel with the other athletes and coaches and travel to the venue by team bus, so at the moment I’m really looking forward to travelling to Wales this Friday to race on Saturday.
@ac_phots
My Triathlon Journey 
Leave a comment