NYLE Clinton will be looking to bounce back immediately after the bitter disappointment of failing to challenge for a place in the Great Britain team for the European Cross-Country Championships.

The 19-year-old Swindon Harrier had travelled to Liverpool harbouring hopes of being in contention for one of the six places available in the under 20 men’s team.

Clinton’s form, which included a resounding victory in the in the opening Oxfordshire League fixture at the start of the month, had looked encouraging but sadly in the weeks leading up the race he came down with a heavy cold and could only finish 37th in Saturday’s showdown.

“Nyle was absolutely gutted,” sad father and coach Bryan Clinton.

“He came down with a cold not long after winning the Oxford League race and it took him two weeks to shake it off and it cost him.

“He was up with the leaders at the start but just couldn’t go with them when the pace hotted up. He is bitterly disappointed with his performance.”

The race probably came a week too early for Clinton, who is from Middleleaze and he is anxious to get straight back into action so will line up for the second Oxford League race on Sunday.

“Nyle isn’t in bad nick really but in a field of the quality which we had at Liverpool you have to be 100 per cent on your game,” added Bryan. “You cannot afford to have an off-day but Nyle did and there were plenty of others too.

“But he has to move forward and is already looking forward to racing on Sunday and then getting ready for the big championship events in the New Year.”

Lillie Bellamy was the only other Harrier at Liverpool and would have been disappointed to finish 86th overall in the combined U20/17 race.

COUNTY runners should spare a thought for Swindon Harrier Andrew Sherman when they next go out for their training session.

Before complaining about the wind and rain local athletes should thank their lucky stars that they don’t have to put up with the conditions Sherman has been experiencing recently at his home in Indianapolis, America.

The 30-year-old former junior international from Wroughton has been battling against snow, ice and wind chill in his daily runs. He is thinking of investing in a treadmill.