COLCHESTER and Tendring Athletics Club hosted the Essex Schools Cross-Country Championships.

The prestigious event took place on a cold but sunny morning, over the tough Hilly Fields course.

It was the third successive year the championships have been held at this venue - an honour for the town.

There were a number of excellent performances from athletes from across Essex.

The North-East Essex team showed up well, with a number of their athletes being selected to run for Essex in the English Schools Cross-Country Championships at Norwich in March.

CATs coach John Hyland CATS said it was great to see all involved working together, while Essex Schools secretary Megan Slattery thanked the volunteers who helped on the day from CATs, Colchester Harriers and Great Bentley Running Club, plus the Essex county officials, Essex county school staff, team managers, parents, St Helena School and the Hilly Fields Ranger.

This was in addition to the 260 youngsters from all over Essex, competing for their district and helping make it a very successful morning.

Results: Year eight and nine girls: Georgia Tombs, Colchester CHS, 9th; Milly Presland, Gilberd, 6th; Molly Whiteford, St Marys, 34th; Hannah Rogers, Girls High, 55th; Maddy Claydon, St Benedict’s, 26th.

Year eight and nine boys: Matthew Brayshaw, Holmwood House, 7; Daniel Spiers, Manningtree, 32; Aiden Cahill, Stanway, 16.

Year ten and 11 girls: Elsie Gray, Colchester CHS, 9th; Hannah Watson, Colchester High, 8th; Jaszmine West, Colchester High, 17th; Ally Thorndyke, St Marys, 43rd; Ellisa Baggott, St Benedict’s, 37th; Elizabeth Godly, St Mary’s, 30; Lily Waterson, Stanway, 41.

Year ten and 11 boys: Sonny Bastone, Clacton CHS; Thomas Palmer, Philip Morant; Danny Milwards, St Benedict’s, 13th; Max Caulfield, Stanway, 21; Freddy Richardson, St Benedict’s, 17; Sam Gardener, Manningtree; Fergus Crowich, St Helena, 35; Ermeas Arewerhi, Philip Morant, 39.

Senior boys: Joe Patterson, Col Sixth Form, 5th; Oscar Dowson, Col Sixth Form, 14th; Ben Miller, Col Sixth Form, 8th.

Senior girls: Maryann Deasy, Col Sixth Form, 5th; Emily Blackman, Colchester CHS, 8th; Amy Haines, Colchester CHS, 10th.