VALE Royal Athletics Club runners were among the top 15 to finish the women’s race during Saturday’s British Universities and Colleges Sport Cross Country Championships.

Amelia Pettit, representing Newcastle, was 11th overall at the University of Sussex.

Clubmate Tessa McCormick (Birmingham) crossed the line next, while fellow Birmingham student Kate Moulds classified inside the top 50.

McCormick, 19, collected a team gold medal along with Becky Straw and Rebecca Murray.

Michael Vennard, part of Great Britain’s junior men’s team at the European Cross Country Championships before Christmas, clocked a new personal best for indoors over 3,000m on Friday.

The Vale Royal Athletics Club member, currently studying at Boise State University in America, timed 8:12.55 during an invitational meeting in Seattle.

A five-strong Vale Royal contingent contested the Alsager 5K on Sunday, with Chris Perry first to reach the finish in 25:56 to place inside the top 20.

Matthew Sheen was 30 seconds further back in 28th.

James Ainsworth lowered his previous best for the distance by more than a minute following a race-long battle with clubmate Rob Olliver, who improved his lifetime best by 35 seconds.

Sophie Smith, a recent recruit from Crewe & Nantwich, fared well on her debut.

Results

BUCS Cross Country Championships
University of Sussex, Saturday, Women (Vale Royal AC members only): 11. Amelia Pettitt (Newcastle) 24:27; 12. Tessa McCormick (Birmingham) 24:28; 50. Kate Moulds (Birmingham) 25:58.

Brooks Alsager 5K
Sunday (Vale Royal AC members only): 20. Chris Perry 25:56; 28. Matthew Sheen 26:26; 97. James Ainsworth 29:27; 101. Robert Olliver 29:37; 174. Sophie Smith 32:06.