Ben Dijkstra and Khahisa Mhlanga were among the winners as school-age athletes put on a show at the Norfolk showground in Norwich.
THE LAST time the blue riband event of the schools season was held in Norwich, the winners included British internationals Charlotte Purdue and Emily Pidgeon, while athletes such as Rio and London Olympics triathlon star Alistair Brownlee, Ross Murray, Hannah England and Laura Weightman were further down the fields.
Twelve years on, many other stars of the future are sure to have been among the 2000 athletes from 45 county teams that braved some gusty winds and heavy rain showers to battle it out on a Norfolk Showground course that was mostly flat and fast, although with a few slight hills.
The 57th boys’ and 49th girls’ edition of the event, which was again sponsored by New Balance, saw dominant senior race victories claimed by experienced English Schools athletes Ben Dijkstra and Khahisa Mhlanga.
Some of the contests in the intermediate and junior age groups were closer, with athletes in those categories also competing for selection to the SIAB Cross Country International in Wales on March 25.
The top eight finishers in each of those races secured their spots.
SENIOR BOYS
BEN DIJKSTRA bid an emotional farewell to a successful English Schools cross country career with a strong performance to sign off in style. Having twice won the inter boys’ title and also claimed junior gold in 2013, the 18-year-old was determined to complete the set by winning the senior title, especially after being forced to miss last year’s event through injury.
Another injury in October delayed his return to cross country action, but the talented triathlete finished second in the under-20 race at last month’s English National Cross Country Championships as he worked towards this event.
Having built a clear lead, Dijkstra had chance to enjoy the moment and he secured a nine-second victory despite slowing to celebrate his win on approach to the finish line.
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