SWINDON Harriers coach John Dill has praised his group of runners after they signed off the winter with excellent results at the English Schools’ Championships in Nottingham.

Leading the way was 15-year-old Ella Spencer, who finished 18th in her first year in the inter girls’ age group while Fletcher Hart was 37th as a first-year senior.

In addition, Carley Lainton (113th) and Faith Herring (173rd) both ran strongly to help the Wiltshire squad finish 10th in the inter girls’ team event, the county’s best result of the day.

“Ella is racing with so much more confidence now, and that was a really good run,” said Dill.

“Fletcher also loves cross country and has had a great season, while for Carley and Faith competing at the English Schools’ was a fantastic experience.

“As the commentator said on TV, even Keely Hodgkinson’s best result in this event was only 90th!”

Indeed, the English Schools’ remains an established proving ground for young talent, many of whom only mature and achieve success later in their careers.

In the junior boys’ race, Harry Burdekin and Josh Steward, who are both in Kevin Buttle’s group, finished 251st and 204th, respectively.

Debutant Naryani Costa Jofrate was 148th in the senior girls’ race and Anubis Molina-Zekri placed 264th in the inter boys’.

Elsewhere, runners from Swindon Harriers flew the flag around the world at the weekend with Ben Cole and Courtenay Chessell tackling the United Airlines New York City half marathon, joining a field of 25,000.

Cole was 27th and fourth Brit in 68mins 20secs while Courtenay clocked 76:53 for 120th overall and seventh veteran over 40.

Meanwhile, in Spain, Harry Woods and Ben McIntyre were making their marathon debuts in Barcelona. Woods, who is still a junior, just dipped inside the landmark of three hours with 2hrs 59mins 07secs while McIntyre ran 3:12.59.

A former member of Kevin Buttle’s coaching group, Dan Patel, finished in 3hr 13mins.

Closer to home, Michael Passmore was third (2hrs 04mins 17secs) in the Hullavington 20 miles road race with fellow Harrier Michael Tune 14th (2:15.12) and first M50.