Billericay's Robert Smith is in celebratory mood after becoming the fastest under 17 cross country runner in Essex.

Robert, 16, who trains at Basildon AAC, gained the prestigious title after winning the Essex League U17 Championship, being the Essex County U17 Champion and the Essex Schools U17 Champion.

Robert, who attends the Billericay School, now looks forward to future successes in English cross country and track events.

Robert said, "I am, of course, over the moon with my winning the triple cross country championships this year, especially the Essex Schools Championship.

"Naturally, results are not obtained without hard training but successes breed further ambitions.

"I will be highly delighted if I can go on to achieve further success and my ambition is to run for England.

"If I can help to raise the platform of success for English athletics, I will be more than satisfied," Robert added.

"At this stage, I thank all people who are helping me, in particular my coach at Basildon AC, Steve Reynolds.

"My mother, father and brother Simon also give me 100 per cent support.

"I would also like to thank Wendy Tydeman of Basildon AC whose son James and younger daughter Kirsty also run at Basildon AC and, in conveying them to different venues, Wendy always includes me, which is a great help."

Robert is to represent Essex Schools and runs in the English Schools Cross Country Championship at Luton on March 6.

The entrance fee is £80 for the race and is being paid by his parents, and the Billericay School has kindly agreed to contribute £20 towards this cost.

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