BROMSGROVE and Redditch AC (B&RAC) joined forces with fellow clubs to represent Worcestershire in the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships.

More than 3,000 competitors descended on Cofton Park in Birmingham for one of the biggest national cross-country events of the season, with a number of local athletes swapping their traditional club colours for the gold vest.

The first two races of the day were the men’s under-20s race, followed by the under-13s boys, which drew a great deal excitement with a sprint finish and resulted in Markhim Lonsdale from the North East pipping Essex’s Canaan Solomon on the line.

The club made their first appearance of the day in the senior women’s eight-kilometre event, which was won by Leicestershire’s Gemma Steel in 26 minutes and 48 seconds. B&RAC’s Tamara Ball was the first County female home in 195th place in a time of 34.46.

In the under-15s boys was the next race to contain a B&RAC athlete. It was won by Scotland West runner Euan Gilham (14.26), while Jacob Blasedale finished the 4.5km course 234th in 17.21.

In the under-17s, Oriana Ball completed the course in 23.11 to finish a respectable 201st place.

Sally Hogan was the second Worcestershire runner to finish the under-20s women in an impressive time of 23.38 to come 44th. The event was won by Surrey’s Emelia Gorecka.

B&RAC athletes next featured in the under-13s girls 3km race.

Halesowen’s Abigail Saker, who had won the District Schools competition the day before, was the first Worcestershire team member home and finished 45th in a time of 12.03.

B&RAC youngest runners, Livvy Worth (13.24, 231st) and Amy Mijovic-Couldwell (13.40, 257th) completed the under-13s race.

Both girls had also competed in the District Schools race the previous day.

Katie Plummer was the only B&RAC member in the under-15s girls race, which saw Kent’s Bobby Clay complete the 4km race in 14.59 to win.

Plummer crossed the finishing line in 19.06.

Overall Worcestershire team positions — senior men 27th; under-20s men, 17th; under-20s women 7th; senior women 25th; under-17s men, 31st; under-17s women 6th; under-15s boys 21st; under-15s girls 35th; under-13s boys 39th; under-13s girls 25th.