Inter Counties XC champs Wollaton Park Nottingham

This was the day Nathan Wright made a breakthrough to prove he is up there with the best U20 runners in the U.K. The race was over 8k in spring sunshine and the going underfoot was firm throughout.At the top of the first hill Nathan was alongside two other Essex runners in a large group at the front. At the end of the first small circuit the three Essex lads including Nathan were in a pack of ten that was away from the rest of the large field of 250 odd starters The second lap Nathan really worked hard to be still in touch with just under 3km to go. At that point International athlete William Rabjohns put in a 3 mins 1km to force the pace and break the grouo up. Nathan to his credit stuck to his forward position in excellent style to place 12th less than a minute behind the winner. Nathan clocked 26min 8secs for the 8k run. With his Essex colleagues Joe Grange 5th, Sam Plummer 7th, Essex romped to a great team title only having to wait until 30th for their forth scorer.

Nathan now has his sights on a GB vest next season as he has another year as an Under 20 runner. Great credit must go to coach Richard Thurston who knows how to get athletes to Internstional level

This was over 4km, George Watkins unfortunately got himself engulfed soon after the start leaving him a lot to do to make the ground up on the leaders. To his credit George, after lying around the 50 mark at the half-way point, made up a lot of ground on the second circuit to place 15th. Another solid run from our lad.

Daniel Arnold also ran having qualified through the cross challenge series. Unfortunately for Daniel his lower back was causing discomfort but despite this he placed 90th, a good run in the circumstances.

What a way to have your best race of the season; Oskar Prince ran the race of his life to lead the Essex team in 85th place. Oskar enjoys many other activities but recently has made time somehow to get a bit of extra training in, it was a superb effort. Eric Frith our Essex U13 champion has been carrying a niggle but ran despite this to earn his first red vest for Essex. Credit to Eric finishing in the circumstances.

Molly Sherrin had another gutsy performance in the 5km race and placed 113th a good solid performance from an excellent club athlete

It was a another good day for our youngsters against the best opposition in the U.K.