STUDENTS from Bromsgrove and Redditch tested their mettle at the English School’s Athletics Association Cross Country Championships in Castle Donnington.

To make the start line, athletes had qualified through school and then district competitions culminating in the County Schools Championships held in Hereford earlier in the year.

Eight runners from each category were then given the opportunity to represent their county.

Bromsgrove School pupil Declan McManus was seventh in the senior boys and helped the county side to come 20th out of 45 teams.

Results – Senior Boys: Declan McManus, 7th 24.03 (Bromsgrove School); Calum Smith 263rd, 28.30 (South Bromsgrove High School).

Senior Girls: Hannah Trow 180th 18.22 (Bromsgrove School); Klara Hunt 272nd, 19.52 (Bromsgrove School).

Intermediate Boys: William Draper-Barr 283rd 22.35 (Bromsgrove School).

Intermediate Girls: Isabel James 305 16.03 (Bromsgrove School); Kirsty Beswick 332nd, 16.57 (Bromsgrove School).

Junior Boys: Gareth Richardson 191st 16.16 (Arrowvale High); Charles Sapwell 224th, 16.25 (Bromsgrove School).

Junior Girls: Abigail Saker 71st 11.15 (Bromsgrove School); Olivia Worth 161st, 11.43 (South Bromsgrove High School); Ellen Bowen 224th 11.58 (Walkwood Middle); Alice Battey 265th, 12.09 (Walkwood Middle); Eleanor Childs 266th 12.09 (Bromsgrove School); Megan Nicod 270th, 12.10 (St Augustine’s High).