FOUR John Kyrle runners showed plenty of pace representing Hereford Schools at the regional championships.

The quartet joined almost 300 runners at the the annual Hereford and Worcester Cross Country Championships in Worcester, competing for places at the prestigious English Schools Cross Country finals to be held in Kent later this year.

In dry but cold conditions Romerleigh Parker finished strongest out of the John Kyrle representatives in the Junior Girls race with Alexis Green only eight seconds behind her.

These girls ran exceptionally well considering they were a year younger than most of the field.

Kate Nanson Cook suffered an ankle injury part way through the same race and was unable to finish.

In the Junior Boys event Luca Knapper faced stiff opposition, but despite the sticky terrain, still managed to finish in the top half of the field.

A school spokesperson said: "Congratulations to these four athletes for representing their district so well, with grit and determination."

⢠DAN Sandford set the benchmark finishing just seven seconds outside his PB at the weekly Ross-on-Wye Parkrun.

The Forest of Dean AC over-45 runner came home in 20.33 just over a minute ahead of Caerleon AC over-50 Andrew Wright, who stopped to give snacks to his four-legged companion along the way.

The 98-strong field on Saturday morning included runners from as far afield as Ogmore, Porthcawl and Caerleon, with 10 of the setting PBs and Jane Powell running her 100th parkrun.

Alastair Hardie stretched his legs on the home straight to beat his previous best time by almost 15 minutes finishing third quickest in 22.35.

Forest of Dean AC over-60 runner Rachael Wheeler was first woman home in 25.09, followed by Louise Le Ray from Hereford Triathlon club in 26.56 winning a sprint from Lucia Demkova of Mon Ross Trailblazers and Fiona Thompson.

The free weekly parkrun is open to everybody and usually takes place at Ross Sports Ground on Saturdays at 9am. New runners simply have to register with parkrun beforehand.

Full results and more information about running and volunteering can be found at www.parkrun.org.uk/rossonwye