Two young Swindon athletes won dominant golds along with the Swindon Harriers senior men qualifying for the national championships at the Midland Counties Road Relay championships.

It was an excellent day for the Swindon Harriers at Sutton Park in Birmingham as multiple runners performed splendidly at the Midland Counties 12-Stage Road Relay Championships.

In the 5,000 metre races, Ella Spencer and Finley Byrne were both crowned Midland champions, Spencer romping home 12 seconds clear of the field in the under-17s race and Byrne winning by 16 seconds ahead of Charlie Brown in second in his under-15s race.

James Mayneord also had a strong performance to come home in eighth place and new addition from the Chippenham Harries Adam Hunton finished in 16th prior to officially becoming a Swindon Harrier at the start of April.

Spencer has previously won gold and silver at this event and said: “I thought I could win another medal but there was another girl in the race who had beaten me on this course before, so I wasn’t sure but I’m very happy with the result.”

Byrne added: “I wouldn’t say it is my biggest win but it is still a championship title, so I’m pleased with that.”

The senior men also had a very strong day as the team finished in fifth place, the best result in the club’s history, as they secured passage to the National Championships in April.

Simon Byrne had the club’s fastest long stage time fresh of his performance at the Bath half marathon with 26:58 and Ben Lines had his fastest time at Sutton Park with a blistering 27:16 as one of many key performances for the team.

The second team also finished a very impressive 28th place in the field and fifth amongst B teams at the event, underlining the strength in depth on top of top-end talent.

Team manager Simon Dill said: “What a day! The senior men just seem to keep getting better and better and it is brilliant to see so many of the young lads, like Harry Edwards, Isaac Mould and Nathan Hackley, coming through into the team.

“And the guys were really buzzing after watching Ella and Finley win as well. We reckon we must be the noisiest club up there with all the cheering and support we give.

“We didn’t have any weak legs, it was really great. It was a brilliant day – despite the weather!”