MARSHFIELD teenager Themis Bower has made a terrific start to the new cross country season, writes Kevin Fahey.

In nine-days of non-stop success the 14-year-old helped Team Bath AC win silver in the English Cross Country Relays, followed that up with a runaway triumph in the Bath Schools’ Championships and then sprinted to victory in the second Gwent League fixture in Cardiff.

“It has been a good start to the season and hopefully it can get better,” said Bower.

“The win in Cardiff on Sunday was really tough as I was hanging on behind a couple of Welsh kids for most of the way and it came down to a big sprint finish which I managed to win.

“I was really chuffed with that victory.”

The schools’ success was the easiest win for Bower, who last winter made a big breakthrough in the competition as he won both the Avon and South West Schools’ boys’ titles and then came 28th in the English Schools’ Championships.

But Bower has moved up into the intermediate boys’ age group now and admits he is unlikely to repeat that level of success.

“I am bottom year in the inter boys’ age group so making the England team (finishing in the top eight) will be very tough but I’ll give it go,” added Bower.

“I will also be looking to do well in the British Cross Challenge Series as I’m top of the under 15s age group.”

Bower is also enjoying his new training environment having previously lived in Bath.

“Marshfield is a great place to run,” he said. DAUNTSEY’S School teacher Allister Sheffield raced to victory in the Running Bath 5k time trial around Bath University in a time of 16min 14sec.

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