THE highly-successful start from Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (WSEH) Athletics Club to the winter season continued last weekend when the Under-15 (U15) girls team emerged as National Champions in the English Cross Country Relay Championships in Mansfield.

The team had already medalled in the Southern Championships but this time went one better at the top of the podium.

Charlotte Dewar faced the starter on the opening leg and came home 15 seconds ahead of the chasers, City of Norwich, with her time of seven minutes and two seconds (7.02).

Eloisa Harris, on the second leg, maintained the advantage with her time of 7.21, handing over the lead to Jasmine Young on the final run. She clocked 7.19 to ensure the gold medals went to the club.

Credit is also due to team coaches Shireen and John Higgins.

WSEH just missed out on the bronze medals in the U13 girls race. Daya Baga led off with a time of 7.38 for 14th position.

Freya Wilcox made rapid inroads to seventh place on the second leg with her time of 7.43, before Rachel Clutterbuck clawed back three more positions on the final leg to finish fourth in 7.44. The race winners were Tonbridge.

The WSEH U13 boys team also gave a good account of themselves. George Thomas took the first leg, clocking 7.11 for 16th place.

Ben Dewar made immediate inroads on the second leg with his time of 7.21 for ninth position. On the final run, Sam Johnston dropped just one place to bring the team home with his time of 7.22. The race winners were Cambridge & Coleridge.

There was also some good running from the U15 boys team. Luke Hynes took the gun on the first leg and returned in fifth place with a time of 6.19.

Jack Campbell slipped to 11th position on the second leg despite clocking a useful 6.54. Will Goddard maintained this place on the final run with his time of 6.55. The race winners were Aldershot & Farnham.

The senior men’s team of Chris Madden, Blake and Adam Moore, plus Alex Goodall produced their best result for some years with 17th position.