SWINDON Harriers’ Ella Spencer will be hoping to end her cross-country season on a high at the English Schools’ Championships in Nottingham on Saturday.

Farmor’s student Spencer, who will be representing Gloucestershire, will line up for the inter girls’ race for the first time in good form having finished an excellent 12th in the under 15 girls’ race at the Inter Counties Championships at Loughborough last weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to the English Schools’ as it is always a good experience,” said 15-year-old Spencer, who is coached by John Dill.

“I’m the lower age and it is the last cross country of the season so I have nothing to lose. I’m planning to go out hard and seeing what happens.”

Joining her on the start line will be Harriers’ clubmate Carley Lainton and Faith Herring, both representing Wiltshire, while Anubis Molina-Zekri goes in the inter boys’ race.

Also joining Spencer in the Gloucestershire team will be Fletcher Hart in the senior boys’ race.

Meanwhile, with his cross-country season now over, Simon Byrne can afford some time for reflection on a great campaign.

“I’m a bit sad to see it end as I have really enjoyed this season, which has definitely been my best ever,” said Byrne, who was 46th at the Inter Counties.

“To be honest, I’m not really looking forward to the track as I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to top that!”

As for his best performances Byrne added: “I think winning all four of my races in the Oxfordshire League was pretty unbelievable as it was not something I had ever thought about before.

“And my run at the ‘National’ was very satisfying. There are around 2,000 runners in that race and to come inside the top 100 means you are doing really well.”

The club’s sole representative in the senior women’s race at Loughborough was Chloe Powell, who finished 133rd.

Jack Gunning’s form has improved as the season progressed and he enjoyed probably his best result of the winter with 69th in the U20 men’s race.

Veterans Michael Sloman and Michael Tune were flying the Harriers flag at the Chippenham Spring 10 miles road race on Sunday.

Sloman ran a PB of 61:57 for 18th overall and third in the M45 category while Tune was 26th (64:23) and runner-up in the M55 class.