Impressive Evans scoops gold at English Cross Country Championships (From Warrington Guardian)

Impressive Evans scoops gold at English Cross Country Championships

10:21am Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Sport

DANIEL Evans capped a brilliant season by leading the charge for Warrington Athletics Club at the English Cross Country Championships in Sunderland.

The Grappenhall 14-year-old, who attends Lymm High School, returned from snow-laden Herrington Country Park with a gold medal.

He opened a decisive 12-second lead over the chasing pack in the under 15s boys' event, which he won in 15mins 2secs.

For Evans, who is coached by Julian Field, the national title tops off a campaign in which has also been crowned Cheshire and Northern champion.

He was followed home in 83rd place by Robert Dykes with a good run in 17mins 19secs.

Of the 17 Warrington athletes at the competition, the team's only other medal was provided by the consistently impressive Harriet Knowles-Jones, who fell narrowly short of matching her northern title with a national one in the under 15 girl's event.

Always in the leading group, Harriet lost contact late on to finish in the silver medal position 6secs down with a time of 17mins 18secs.

She was well supported by teammates Lizzie Smith, 26th in 18mins 33secs, Sarah McGrail, 37th place in 18mins 57secs, and Georgia Aston-Massey, 78th place in 20mins 1sec, to earn a fourth-place team finish.

Senior athlete Katie Brough continues to improve as she took the notable scalp of Commonwealth bronze medalist and Olympic runner Stephanie Twell to finish in a superb 10th place with a time of 31mins 34secs.

In the under 17s boys’ race Cameron Field ran an excellent race to record his highest ever finish in a national championships finishing in 16th place in 21mins 2secs, only 30secs down on the winner.

Liam Burthem finished in 82nd place in 22mins 35secs.

The under 13s age group had the most club athletes involved, though runners Melissa Boyer, Lauren Goddard, Lauren Ferris, Luke Gamble, Jack Stubbings, David Kahn and Daniel Fox were unable to record a place higher than 31st.

In the under 20s boys’ race Chris Smith was the only runner from the club, finishing 114th in 42mins 34secs.