Williamson masters many of her younger rivals but not Becconsall

The 6k race took in three laps of undulating terrain which had been made very wet due to the recent rain.

Monica Williamson was involved in a private battle for the entire race, tracking another W50 international, Sue Becconsall of Bingley Harriers, for the first lap before overtaking her and opening up a five-second gap on the second circuit.

However, Williamson was unable to hold off her rival and was passed midway through the last lap to finish six seconds behind Becconsall in 24:57.

The quality of the first two W50 runners meant they finished sixth and seventh overall, ahead of most younger athletes.

Following on from her national gold medal at the BMAF Half Marathon Championships, June Johnson, also of Leamington C&AC, had another solid run to finish in silver medal place for the W65 category and 119th overall.

Andrew Johnson, returning from an injury lay-off, competed in the M65 category and finished in a time of 29:51.

The race was won by Julie Briscoe of Wakefield in 22:57.

Kenilworth Runners’ Paddy Roddy represented Warwickshire in the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, running superbly to come home 83rd out of 311 finishers.

The standard of the field was very high, with the winner, Matt Shirling of Mersey, the current UK under-17 1500m record-holder.

Starting near the back of a seven-man pen, Roddy made excellent progress to become first Warwickshire counter midway around the fourth and final lap.

Making one of his trademark sprint finishes, he outkicked several rivals to clock 23:27, less than two minutes behind Shirling.