South London Harriers had seven youngsters representing Surrey at the English Schools’ National Cross Country Championships in Manchester on Saturday.

In very muddy and wet conditions, Sophie Foreman just missed out on English selection by two seconds after a fine run to finish 12th in the junior girls’ race as Surrey’s first finisher.

Tom Holden was third Surrey scorer in the junior boys’ in 35th place in a field of 329 runners.

In the inter-girls’ race, Helen Wilson was second Surrey scorer in 25th place.

Jack Bourne ran in the seniors’ race, finishing 197th of the 304 participants.

In the senior girls’ event, Grace O’Leary was 11th and Surrey’s first home with defending champion Loulou Rowlands in 28th and third scorer for Surrey after a year out with injury.

Maria Kavanagh represented London and finished 252nd in the junior girls’ event.

Meanwhile, all those training for the London Marathon were trying out their pacing over half the distance this weekend.

In the Hastings half marathon, SLH had eight runners. Over 40 veteran Jim Burdett was first to finish in 1.17.41; veteran over 50 Ian Kitching timed 1.18.34. Paul Mitchell (o/40) finished in 1.22.28; Ben Pearce 1.23.47; Sarah Brown (o/40) 1.47.40; Sharon O’Connor (o/45) 1.47.56; Steve Rigby (o/40) 1.53.06 and Jennie Burdett (o/40) 2.12.33.

In the Reading half marathon, Martin Mabbutt (o/50) finished in 1.27.41; Andrea Howlett (o/40) 1.58.02 and Simon Lythgoe 1.59.09.

Over 13.1 miles in Fleet there were also three SLH vests. Chris Phelan (o/40) 1.15.48; David Ogden (o/50) 1.19.37 and Stephen Jeal 1.45.24.