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.