Gloucester Athletic Club’s James Denne made the best possible start to the new year when he stormed to victory in the senior men’s race at the Gloucestershire Cross-Country Championships at Rendcomb College.

Denne has been in impressive form throughout the current cross-country season, establishing himself at the top of the individual standings in the Birmingham Cross-Country League and now this, his second county senior title following his win in 2018, as he held off the challenge of runner-up Ben Price of Cheltenham & County Harriers to win by 20 metres.

Owen Parry was the second Gloucester AC runner home, his 13th place being his highest-ever championship finish, while Jeremy Mower came home in 27th place overall and first in the M50 category to secure his fifth consecutive title in this age group.

James Walters placed 36th, Dave Gresswell 52nd (3rd M50) and Lloyd Andrews 66th to complete the scoring team for a fourth place. In his first cross-country race, Martin Brook placed 76th.

There was a bronze medal for Gloucester AC’s senior ladies’ team. Bethan Moor achieved her highest-ever championship placing as a senior as she led the team home in 6th place, closely followed by youngster Tilly Ashley who placed 7th overall and 2nd U17, with Charlotte McGlone just holding off Briony Bishop as they came home in 11th and 12th place respectively.

Anna Midgley showed a return to form as she placed 17th, ahead of Tina Wickens in 23rd overall and 2nd LV50. U17 Amber Spackman ran strongly to place 44th, Emma Jeffery placed 56th while Chris O’Carroll placed 65th overall and first in the M75 category for another age group medal for the club.

The combined U20/17 men’s race saw Toby Scott place 5th and Seb Clarke 12th and there was a 10th place finish for Oliver Mitchell in the U13 boys’ race. The U11 boys’ race saw Sam Unsworth place 16th and brother Ryan 24th.

The U15 girls’ team secured silver medals as Millie Newell placed 9th, Keira Barry 13th and Chloe Shephard 14th, while Ruth Brook continued her excellent run of form to place second in the U13 girls’ race ahead of team-mates Lydia Wang (16th) and Aliya Hankins in 18th.

The U11 girls’ race saw Olivia Posgate lead a closely bunched group home in 16th place, ahead of Tilly Famer (17th) and Katie Blackwell (19th) as they placed 5th team. Adelina Ducker placed 24th and Bailey Ward 28th.