RUNNERS from Thetford AC enjoyed a muddy and challenging course in the South of England Cross-Country Championships, held this year at Parliament Hill.

RUNNERS from Thetford AC enjoyed a muddy and challenging course in the South of England Cross-Country Championships, held this year at Parliament Hill.

With very strong competition, and some running for the first time at this level, they acquitted themselves extremely well with large fields in all age groups.

In the U13 girls' race, running over the 3k course for the first time in these championships, Grace Humby and Sausha Levy-Twomey, finished very well; Grace in 15:12 minutes and 139th place, and Sausha in 16:06 and 176th place.

In the U15 boys' race, Jason Higgins completed the 4.5k course in 18:33 to finish in 134th position.

Megan Norry, competing in the U15 girls, over a slightly shorter 4k course, came home in 18:50 to finish in 135th place.

There was some friendly rivalry in the U17 men's event, run over a 6k course, which helped to spur on Johnathon Mead and Joe Kirton.

Both ran very well, with Johnathon only just ahead to finish in 112th place in 24:19 , and Joe in 116th place in 24:25.

In the U17 women's race, over a 5k course, Lucy Tyler crossed the line in an excellent 88th position with a time of 24:35.

Running a daunting 15k race with a huge field, Thetford's senior men all ran well.

Nick Searle was the first home in 72:58 minutes for 535th place, Richard Dolman in 81:50 for 695th place, Paul Taverner in 84:05 for 717th place, and Carl Higgins in 86:33 for 744th place.