CHIPPENHAM runner Cameron Perkins opened his cross country season with an encouraging performance in the first Gloucestershire League fixture, writes KEVIN FAHEY.
The 16-year-old Hardenhuish Sixth Form student, who is a member of Team Bath AC, finished runner-up in the U17 men’s race around the Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, on Saturday.
“I was a little disappointed not to win the race but overall it was a decent performance and I did the best I could on the day,” said Perkins.
“It was my first cross country race of the winter season and a good warm-up for the English Relays in a couple of weeks.”
Perkins confirmed he intends to have a serious cross country campaign this winter as he concentrates more on his running than triathlon, in which he is also a leading performer.
“For 2016 in the triathlon I have to move into the under-19s age group even though I am still only 16 and that is a big step up,” said Perkins.
“I will keep up swimming and cycling but I will concentrate more on my running this winter and next summer as I am keen to lower my personal best to as close as possible to 15 minutes for 5k.
“Hopefully I can have a good winter.”
In the U15 girls’ race Corsham School’s Jade Littechild finished fourth and Trowbridge runner Jack Wosika was 16th in the U15 boys’ event.
Marshfield-based Themis Bower cruised to victory in the Marshfield Mudlite 5k race finishing two minutes ahead of James Warren and Ross Wayne.
First female was Hardenhuish School’s India Ibbotson.
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