On Saturday 27th February, 10 athletes from Orion Harriers Juniors took the long drive to Leicestershire and the English National Cross-Country Championships.

The first race in which Orion athletes competed was the under 15 boys, running their final race of the season as a team. 1st home and making it a day to remember for everyone was Joseph Owen in an amazing 4th place. He was followed by Joseph Clark, 142nd, Jay Shotter, 218th, William Jones, 282nd, and Saul Ashon, 330th. Their hard work as a team all winter was rewarded with a team placing of 20th in all of England.

In the under 13 boys Henry Jones was the lone runner, coming home in a deserved 255th place, while in the girls Becci Leddy was 285th and Ciara Pearce was 380th.

And, finally, Aoibheann Pearce and Annalie Cole ran well in the under 15 girls to achieve placings of 119th and 189th respectively.

All in all, it was a day of positive results and well worth the long journey.

Saul Ashon