ATHLETES from Oakbank and Bronte Middle schools swept the Bradford District to victory in the county cross country championships last weekend.

Four of the runners went on to win places in the West Yorkshire team to compete in the national schools cross-country championships next month.

Oakbank students Helen Glover, 15, and Sam Clegg, 14, and year-eight Bronte students Dean Cunningham and Rebecca Long will take part in the national event which takes place on Parliament Hill in London on Saturday, March 11th.

Although he was a year younger than the age limit for the junior boys race Dean Cunningham raced home in fourth place, just 18 seconds behind the winner, with a time of 16mins 14secs. Sam Clegg was just seven seconds behind in seventh place.

Rebecca was seventh in the junior girls race and Helen Glover took fourth place in the intermediate girl's event.

Bronte sports master Rod Fletcher was delighted with the performance of the young athletes. "Dean and Rebecca have another year to race at this age group and their performances were outstanding. The effort by all the local athletes was absolutely superb and they beat some top class competition from throughout West Yorkshire."

Oakbank cross country coach, Will Smith, added: "The national finals in London are the biggest event of the year for young cross country runners. They will be up against some of the best young athletes in the country, but our runners have the ability to do really well."

They will stay at an hotel in the capital before the national finals which are expected to attract big crowds.

n Cross-country runners: from left, Dean Cunningham, Sam Clegg, Helen Glover and Rebecca Long.

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