YOUNG Harriers athletes put in some creditable performances at the Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships at Heaton Park last weekend.

First up was the under-13 boys and over a challenging 3K course, Laurence Britton was the first Blue Vest home in 17th place, followed closely by Jason Scaife in 21st and Harvey Kenny – only recently turned 11 and still able to compete in this age-group for the next two years – in an impressive 22nd.

This resulted in the boys’ team taking a good sixth place overall.

Over the same course in the u13 girls' event, Lily Philbin battled hard to secure 27th place and will have her eye on next year's race, which she will be eligible for, to improve on. Similarly, Hannah Swales will also benefit from her experience for next year, gaining 49th place.

In the u15 boys over 3.8K, Ben Pickford continued to pick up valuable experience against the strong athletes in this field, achieving 30th place.

The u17 and u20 girls raced together over a 5k course that tested runners to the limit, with Molly Philbin achieving an excellent ninth place overall in the u17s and Rachel Bailey a similarly impressive 10th in the u20s.

Both gave themselves an opportunity to be selected to represent Greater Manchester at the forthcoming Inter Counties Championships in Loughborough.