WILL Christofi produced the best performance of his career at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships.

The 20-year-old former Dauntsey’s School student, who is now studying at Oxford University, finished fifth in the U20 men’s race at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday.

“The course, which was really muddy and hilly, definitely suited Will and that was an outstanding effort,” said his Bristol & West AC team manager Mike Down.

“Unfortunately, he was not able to lead the squad to the team medal that they deserved as one of the lads was forced to drop out after going over on his ankle which was rotten luck.”

In the senior women’s race, 21-year-old Bradford on Avon runner Katherine Turner had her best run of the winter to finish 26th and top Wiltshire athlete.

Avon Valley Runners’ veteran Ruth Barnes also impressed on her debut in the event by finishing 51st from a field of 865 runners.

Sheldon School student Gemma Shepherd can also feel very satisfied with her top 20 finish in the under 17 women’s race and Marshfield-based Themis Bower was 35th and leading Wiltshire runner in the under-17 men’s race.

Hilperton’s John Howorth also made the top 100 in 84th.

SHELDON School student Jake Burkey had a busy day at the Midland Counties Indoor meeting held in Birmingham on Sunday.

Burkey, who celebrated his 15th birthday on Wednesday, raced to a lifetime best of 26.28 seconds in the under-17 men’s 200m and then cleared 5.32m in the long jump.

Just a week after winning the bronze medal in the 400m at the British Indoor Championships Marshfield’s Loren Bleaken clocked 55.69, having hoped to challenge her season’s best of 54.98.

NEWLY-CROWNED Wiltshire 10 miles champion George Frost heads a strong local contingent for the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday with Team Bath clubmate and Dauntsey’s School teacher Allister Sheffield also entered.