ELLEN Bowen lead the way for Bromsgrove and Redditch AC at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships.

Athletes from across the country tackled a boggy course on Parliament Hill Fields.

Bowen was the first member of BRAC to cross the finishing line, leading the under-15s girls home in 45th place overall in a time of 16 minutes and 48 seconds.

Amelia Mijovic-Couldwell was next home (83rd, 17.21) followed by Alice Battey (121st, 17.54).

Meegan Nicod completed a scoring team (176th, 18.26) as the girls finished 13th out of 40th complete teams, securing the club's best team position of the championships.

In the U15s boys, Gareth Richardson lead the charge, finishing 215th in 18:58, with Alexander Johnson (346th, 21:24) also completing the 4.5 kilometre course.

Anna Nicod was next to take on Parliament Hill in the U13s girl championship, completing the 3km in 15.04 and finished 184th out of 433 athletes.

Following Nicod's fantastic efforts it was the U17 men's turn. They had the pleasure of running one short lap and one full lap covering 6km.

Connor Smith again showed his strength on a testing course by finishing 59th in 22:38 followed by Thomas Neylon (255th, 27:31).

With the races coming thick and fast the course was deteriorating making running conditions worst as the day went on.

The ever-present Tamara Ball was the only athlete to take part in the 8km Senior Woman's championship, finishing 193rd in 38:12 out of 865 athletes.

The last event of the day was the Senior men's Championship which saw 2005 athletes take on two-lap 12km.

Joe Smith lead this charge for Bromsgrove and Redditch coming 141st in 44:20, whil Simon Lanckham was second back for the team (393rd, 48:05).

The scoring six was completed by Kevin Lanckham (739th, 51:58), Andrew Freeman (969th, 54:18), Dean Hartshorne (1124th, 56:06) and Paul Battey (1438th, 1:00.02). The team finished 79th out of 149 completed teams.

A special mention should go to Andrew Freeman who completed the course after receiving a nasty gash along his ankle after a follow athlete caught him with his spikes. Well done Andy.

For many athletes that was the last race of the cross country season.

However, several athletes have been selected to run for Worcestershire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham this takes place in the March 7, an event which is covered by Sky television.