CAMERON Perkins got his cross country campaign off to an encouraging start with a solid performance in the opening race of the Gloucestershire Cross Country League, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Over a new course at Little Rissington, described by many as one of the toughest ever used by the league and throwback to the old courses of yesteryear, the 17-year-old from Chippenham finished top junior in 14th position overall of the 240 finishers in the senior men’s race.

“It was my first cross country race of the winter and it went okay,” said Perkins, who is a student at Hardenhuish School.

“It was a tough course with some very long hills which really took it out of my legs but it was good to get the season underway and finish top U20 runner. I had hoped to finish a bit higher than 14th but it was a strong field of senior runners.”

Perkins revealed he is not intending to run too much cross country this winter as he already has one eye on next summer.

“I intend to run a few 5k road races and try and get under 16 minutes and then go indoors,” added Perkins.

“I want to keep up my speed because next summer it will be my last chance to qualify for the English Schools’ Championships and I will need to break four minutes for the 1500m to do that. That is the target for next year.

“But for now I am training pretty hard and hopefully that will pay off.”

Another Hardenhuish School runner to impress was 14-year-old Wiltshire 1500m champion India Ibbotson. Also representing Team Bath AC Ibbotson finished runner-up in the U15 girls’ event, which is easily her best result in the league.

There was also a well-deserved second place for Corsham School’s 16-year-old Jade Littlechild in the U17 women’s age group. Finally Justin Davies was fourth in the U15 boys and Ella Treby sixth in the U13s.