TWO runners from Vale Royal Athletics Club tested themselves against the best of the rest in the country at the English Track and Field Championships.

Ben Lee clocked a lifetime best 1:50.52 in a high-quality under 20s men’s 800m final at Bedford to finish seventh overall.

Max Burgin, who pipped the Knutsford Academy student to first place in a heat the previous day, claimed the gold medal in 1:45.36 - a British record for the age-group category.

It is also a championship best performance.

Chloe Dooley made her debut at the event, classifying seventh in the under 23s girls’ 5,000m after timing 18:09.29.

The Cardiff University undergraduate, encouraged by improvement in both cross country and on the road this year, was happy with her performance after battling a knee injury in the run-up.

Jodie Judd (Chelmsford AC) was the victor in 16:32.19.

Results (selected)

England Athletics Track and Field Championships

Sunday, June 23

At Bedford

Under 23s

Women's 5,000m final: 1. Jodie Judd (Chelmsford AC) 16:32.19; 2. Eleanor Bolton (Ribble Valley Harriers) 16:41.22; 3. Charlotte Dannatt (Camberley & District AC) 16:49.75; 6. Chloe Dooley (Vale Royal AC) 18:09.29

Under 20s

Men's 800m final: 1. Max Burgin (Halifax Harriers) 1:45.36; 2. Ben Pattison (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC) 1:46.71; 3. Finley McLear (Exeter Harriers) 1:47.33; 7. Ben Lee (Vale Royal AC) 1:50.52

Saturday, June 22

Under 20s

Men's 800m, heat one: 1. Max Burgin (Halifax Harriers) 1:52.10; 2. Ben Lee (Vale Royal AC) 1:53.68