MORE than 1,000 young runners took part in the Suffolk West Schools Cross Country Championships, staged at Chantry Park in Ipswich.

MORE than 1,000 young runners took part in the Suffolk West Schools Cross Country Championships, staged at Chantry Park in Ipswich.

That figure of just over 1,000 matched the entry from the previous Eastern Suffolk Championships, which were staged at the same venue.

Jemma Clarry, of County Upper School, and Andrew Ridley, from Sudbury Upper, won the two senior races at the western area event, while Samuel Ward School's Emily Barker and East Bergholt's Shaun Webb triumphed in the intermediate categories.

There was no stopping Holly Archer in the junior girls' section, or Claydon's Patrick Gravett-Curl in the boys' equivalent.

The minor girls' title went to Ellen Hutson, of Brandeston, with Harrison Ford winning the minor boys' race in the colours of Scaltback (Newmarket).

The top 50 runners from each of the eight age groups have qualified for the Suffolk Series “A” Championships, which will take place at Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, on December 1.

Likewise, the first 50 finishers in each of the previous Eastern Championship races have also qualified.

The winners in the boys' half were George Byrne-Hill, Jack Garvin, Samuel Cheverton and Andrew Rooke.

In the girls' section, there were victories for Alice Cheverton, Mary Galbraith, Charlotte Christensen and Alice Simpson.