A TEAM of 40 athletes from Alton Convent School travelled to Sherfield School, near Basingstoke, to participate in the largest ever ISA regional cross-country competition.

The pupils shone in a competitive field of more than 500 runners from 30 schools.

Alton Convent School’s competitors reaped the fruits of their partnership with Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics club with 15 athletes qualifying to represent London West at the national finals in Rugby, Warwickshire.

James Warne, of year five, led the charge with a victory in the under-12s event, closely followed by Henry and Luke Blackmore in second and third positions. The stream of Alton Convent vests continued with Alex Lelliott sprinting to an impressive sixth place, with all four securing a place in the nationals and a gold medal for the team.

Other national qualifiers from the preparatory school included Beth Thorpe (second) and Jemima Hodges (fourth) in the under-12 girls category.

Will Hodges also stormed to an impressive sixth position in the under-10 boys event.

The senior girls continued the flow of success with Anastasia Lawrence and Ella Beswick finishing fourth and sixth in the under-14s competition to qualify for a place in the nationals. Emily Killing secured a national reserve slot with 11th place, along with a silver medal for the team.

The medals continued with Freya Marsh (fifth) leading the under-16 team to a bronze medal.

The over-16s dominated their event with a gold team medal and a run of national qualifiers.

Lucy Jermyn finished fourth, Erin Marsh fifth, Jemima Kennedy seventh and Lucy Woolcott 10th.

Amanda Cowle, head of PE at Alton Convent School, said: “All participants gave their all in the challenging but traditional cross-country conditions, of driving rain and increasingly muddy fields.

“We are proud of all of our athletes. Their delight and sense of achievement was evident with beaming smiles shining through their mud splattered faces.”