NOT long ago, Vale Royal Athletics Club were happy just to have their runners take part in national events.

They don’t do so unnoticed anymore.

On Saturday, an under 15s boys’ quartet claimed team gold during the English Cross Country Championships – a club first.

Alfie Bould, John Humphries, Ben Lee and Oliver Waring were emphatic victors too at Castle Donington.

“We expected them to be in the mix, but not to win so convincingly,” said coach Andy Carter afterwards.

“It was nerve-wracking to watch, but they hung on; it’s a great feeling for all of us – athletes, parents and coaches.”

They were not the only ones in blue and gold making history in Leicestershire.

Vale Royal’s senior women took bronze the same afternoon, becoming the first Cheshire team to win a gong in the category.

Amelia Pettitt, third in the under 20s race last year, was first counter in 13th.

She was followed across the line, all inside the top 100, by Sarah Murphy, Kate Spilsbury and Kate Titlow.

“They didn’t realise until later,” said coach Shaun McGrath.

“Kate [Spilsbury] was getting into her car to drive home when she heard an announcement to say they’d done enough to receive a medal – she had to run back to collect them!”

Vale Royal’s under 17s boys line-up, consisting of Josh Betteley, Arun Dight, Cameron Weaver and Harry Buglass, almost made it a hat-trick of prizes after finishing fourth.

They took solace in ranking first among teams from the north of England.

Sophie Smith led an under 17s girls’ foursome to eighth, while the under 20s women ranked 10th after Amy Hinchly classified inside the top 50.

The senior men produced one of their best performances at the annual event, finishing 33rd of the 123 entries.

Stuart Doyle and Chris Perry were narrowly outside the first 100 to finish in a field of more than 1,700 runners.

Among the under 13s boys, Ed Pettitt was 23rd fastest.

“The senior women’s result was the icing on the cake,” added Carter.

“It was a fabulous day overall for the club, one on which we demonstrated real strength in depth.

“We’re sure it won’t be our last gold medal either.”

Results

English National Cross Country Championships

Castle Donington

Saturday (Vale Royal AC members only)

Senior men (12km): 105. Stuart Doyle 46.43; 125. Chris Perry 47.07; 339. Ryan Moore 50.56; 663. James Griffiths 55.56; 668. Gareth Williams 56.00; 768. Tom Heaword 57.13; 902. Steven Caldwell 58.50; 1274. Brian Dooley 1:04.32; 1433. John Clarke 1:08.00. Teams: 33. Vale Royal AC 2668pts

Senior women (8km): 13. Amelia Pettitt 31.31; 35. Sarah Murphy 33.02; 79. Kate Spilsbury 34.36; 97. Kate Titlow 35.23; 112. Kate Moulds 35.43; 150. Sarah Griffiths 36.42; 323. Carolyn Dooley 40.59; 470. Kerry Riley 44.30; 528. Jayne Lomax 46.28. Teams: 3. Vale Royal AC 224pts

Junior men (10km): 51. Matthew Sheen 40.35.

Junior women (6km): 44. Amy Hinchly 25.07; 83. Clara Pettitt 27.07; 98. Lucy Burch 28.15; 108. Emma Pyatt 29.15. Teams: 10. Vale Royal AC 225pts

Under 17s boys (6km): 16. Josh Betteley 20.26; 20. Arun Dight 20.38; 22. Cameron Weaver 20.40; 88. Harry Buglass 22.04; 172. Harry Dexter 23.32. Teams: 4. Vale Royal AC 146pts

Under 17s girls (5km): 69. Sophie Smith 22.41; 79. Chloe Dooley 22.50; 93. Esme Bridge 23.07; 110. Cara Gibbons 23.28. Teams: 8. Vale Royal AC 351pts

Under 15s boys (4.5km): 12. Alfie Bould 17.07; 14. John Humphries17.09; 16. Ben Lee 17.09; 45. Oliver Waring17.43; 102. Alex Doyle 18.22; 266. Charlie Fawkes 20.10. Teams: 1. Vale Royal AC 87pts

Under 15s girls (4km): 57. Holly Smith 18.02; 172. Caitlin Dimmick 19.25; 188. Lucy Smith 19.38

Under 13s boys (3km): 23. Ed Pettitt 13.29; 294. Will Ashfield 15.46; 341. Wilf Dight 16.14

Under 13s girls (3km): 241. Faye Conboy 16.28; 409. Holly Dooley 18.12