Several of Herts Phoenix young endurance athletes travelled, with their parents, to the South of England Cross Country Championships held for the first time since 1985 in the very hilly surroundings of Stanmer Park, Brighton at the home of Sussex University on the Sussex South Downs.

On Sunday 15th January Sally Cowler & Laura Armorgie competed in the South of England U15 Pentathlon at Lee Valley. In a strong field of 22 Sally came 3rd to win the bronze medal with Laura close behind her team mate taking 4th place.

Nearly sixty of Herts Phoenix endurance athletes competed in the County Cross Country Championships held over courses set out in the undulating Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage on Sunday. There were some very pleasing individual performances with several athletes winning medals - Jamie Philpott and Jamie Dee won the under 13 boys’ and under 15 boys’ races respectively and Lizzie Bird picked up gold in the under 17 women’s race and there were silver medals for Emily Ruane in the under 17 women’s race and Lizzie Hall in the senior women’s race. Liam Dee under 17 men, Ellie Baker under 15 girls won bronze medals in their races. These athletes and several of the other higher finishers are now waiting to hear whether they have gained selection to compete for Hertfordshire in the Inter Counties Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham in early March. In his first cross country race for the Club Cameron Hoskins won a bronze medal in the under 11 boys’ race. Photos, courtesy of Mark Easton, can be found on his web site, click here .