A TALENTED team of runners from a Bradford school are celebrating after becoming world cross country champions.

The teenagers competed for Bradford Grammar School (BGS) in the ISF World Schools Cross Country Championships, in Slovakia, where the girls’ team was placed first overall.

Students Rebecca Flaherty, Grace Dawson, Emily Gibbins, Amelie Lane, Elsa Foster, and Carla Barennes, who run for clubs across West Yorkshire including Bingley Harriers, Wharfedale Harriers and Ilkley Harriers, were delighted by the result.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: World schools champions: Rebecca Flaherty, Grace Dawson, Emily Gibbins, Amelie Lane, Elsa Foster and Carla Barennes.World schools champions: Rebecca Flaherty, Grace Dawson, Emily Gibbins, Amelie Lane, Elsa Foster and Carla Barennes.

With notable alumni such as Olympic athletes Jonny and Alistair Brownlee and Richard Nerurkar and Team GB’s Emile Cairess, who earlier this year equalled Sir Mo Farah’s 10K British record, BGS is no stranger to competitive running champions.

The latest victory comes after the first female student in BGS’s history to wear an England vest, Rebecca Flaherty, competed for BGS in the Home Countries’ International Cross Country race where she won gold in the inter girls 4x 1500m relay race. Rebecca gained a silver medal in the world schools cross country championships, ensuring the team took the top spot overall.

Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster at BGS, said: “BGS runners are enjoying a fantastic season and for the girls to be crowned world schools champions is a credit to the school and to themselves. They’ve all trained hard to get where they are and we’re incredibly proud. I’m sure they’ll remember this moment for the rest of their lives.”