SIX runners from Vale Royal Athletics Club competed in the English Schools Track and Field Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham at the weekend.

They had earned the opportunity to compete against the very best of their age in their chosen discipline by having achieved necessary qualifying times.

The standard was exceptionally high, leading to some very exciting racing, and there was mixed fortunes for the Vale Royal six – only to be expected given the standard of the competition, the unfamiliarity of staying away from home with the Cheshire team and competing over two days with heats and finals.

Ellie Bushill was Vale Royal's only competitor to make it to a final, having achieved a four-second personal best in her senior girls 1500m heat.

Harry Parker-McLain, representing Shropshire Schools, thought he had progressed to the final of the intermediate boys 800m in a significant new PB time, only to find he had been disqualified for touching the line on the inside of his lane on the first bend.

Patrick Griffith was suffering from spasms in his spine and looked doubtful to race in his senior boys 800m heat.

However, with painkillers and exercises, he started but sadly could not make the final.

Alba March, in the junior girls 100m, Eva Jha and Sophie Harding in the intermediate girls 800m heats, ran well but with only the heat winners and four fastest losers qualifying for the finals, the challenge was just too great.

Results:

Alba March, junior girls 100m, heat one, eighth, 12.88secs

Harry Parker-McLain, intermediate boys, 800m, heat one, disqualified

Eva Jha, intermediate girls 800m, heat three, sixth, 2mins 14.72secs

Sophie Harding, intermediate girls 800m, heat four, eighth, 2mins 18.62secs

Patrick Griffith, senior boys 800m, heat two, seventh, 1min 55.92secs

Ellie Bushill, senior girls 1500m, heat one, seventh, 4mins 34.96secs (PB)

Ellie Bushill, senior girls 1500m final, 10th, 4mins 43.20secs