It's a big weekend approaching in the schools' cross-country world.

For the regional final of the English Schools' Cross-Country Team Cup goes ahead on Saturday at St Albans, Herts.

Athletes are likely to find conditions very muddy and tough after recent rains as girls and boys from a host of South east Essex schools do battle at junior and intermediate level.

For those successful, the national final goes ahead on December 2 in Yorkshire.

It was that part of the country which hosted last year's national competition where both Southend High for Boys and Girls emerged triumphant at Wakefield.

The Boys, with the remarkable Adam Hickey at the helm, took the junior boys gold with the youngster who stars at both athletics and swimming collecting the individual glory. With Adam still qualifying for the junior ranks, Southend High must be rated strong contenders again.

On the girls' front, Southend High were third in last season's junior final with top runner Kristina Marshall winning the individual bronze.

Kristina has now moved up to the intermediate age group, but Southend High Girls have a strong crop of junior girls and will be looking to at least make the nationals in both categories.

Among their strongest rivals at both junior and intermediate levels could be the FitzWimarc girls from Rayleigh.

With Thundersley's King John also very much involved, it promises to be a real bonanza for local schools at St Albans this weekend with a whole host perhaps making the long winter trek north next month.

Twin glory bid - for Southend High for Girls

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