Tamworth AC’s athletes faced their toughest test of the year so far at the National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham at the weekend. The recent battering of storms Ciara and Dennis left the whole of Wollaton Park extremely wet and muddy, but thanks to the tireless efforts of hosts Notts AC and a huge team of volunteers, the annual showpiece event didn’t disappoint.

The proceedings got underway with the Under-17 Women’s championship race. Charlotte Perry did well to finish the 5km course with a time of 25:47 in 120^th place amongst a field of more than 250 athletes. Sophie Perry came in with 28:33 on the clock in 203^rd place. The race marked Charlotte and Sophie’s last appearances for the club in the junior age groups before they join the senior team next season. Both athletes made their cross country debuts for Tamworth as Under-11s back in 2013 and have consistently featured in the team through the age groups ever since.

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Jessica Salt was Tamworth’s only competitor in the 3km Under-13 Girls championship. Having performed so well in both the county and regional championships, Jessica was unfortunate to take a fall in the tough conditions, but she picked herself up to finish on 18:03.

The Under-13 Boys championship saw Joseph Gorst return from injury to finish the 3km race in 370^th place with a time of 21:25. Francis White matched Joseph almost stride for stride; finishing close behind in 372^nd on 21:33. William Newman finished his race in 381^st place with a time of 24:21.

The Under-15 Girls were next in their 4km championship race. Tegan Vickery battled valiantly through the mud to be the first Tamworth athlete over the line in 147^th place with a time of 22:29. Lottie McLaren came in next in 195^th place on 23:14, followed by Natasha Lee in 267^th on 24:37.

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The last event of the day for Tamworth was the Junior Men’s 10km championship race. Max Kent stepped up once again for the green and whites and put in a decent run of 46:16 to take 156^th place in a very competitive field.