SWINDON’S rising star Catie O’Donoghue faces her sternest test yet when she races in the South West Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in Yeovil on Sunday.

O’Donoghue ended 2017 on a high with a superb victory in the Tri-Counties Cross Country Championships at Bath University which was a significant breakthrough for the 26-year-old from The Lakeside.

But this weekend’s regional event represents another big step up and with a strong entry, led by Wiltshire’s reigning champion Ruth Barnes, O’Donoghue knows this will be her toughest race to do date.

“It is going to be a really competitive race as there are going to be some really good girls there,” said O’Donoghue.

“I don’t have any particular aims but it would be nice to win the club team prize with my Bristol & West clubmates as we have a strong squad running.

“It would be nice to finish in the top ten but really I am just going there to enjoy it and have as much fun as possible.”

O’Donoghue’s refreshing, relaxed attitude has served her well so far and allied with her undoubted talent she may well end up surprising herself yet again.

It will also be interesting to see how Swindon Harrier Sergio Martinez Gonzalez fares in the senior men’s race.

Gonzalez was forced to miss the Tri-Counties event due to the heavy snow that swept across the county that day but on the form he has showed in the first half off the season he could well finish leading Wiltshire runner.

In the under 17 women’s race the Harriers’ Sophie Capel will be in action while the trio of Beth Davidse, Harriet Hillman and Kelly-Marie Marsh are in the under 13s squad, which is being managed by club coach John Dill.

Ethan Pierce goes in the under 17 boys’ age group and Jack Gunning has been selected for the under 15 boys race.

The course at Aldon Hill, near Yeovil, has previously been used for Somerset Schools’ events and chair of South West Athletics Keith Reed said it was important to spread the event around the south west after five years in Devon.

“There were a number of reasons we took the decision,” said Reed. “One was the cost, with the new venue being much more cost effective and the other was it is good to move the event around the region giving other people a chance to take part.

“It (Aldon Hill) is in fact quite central and easy to get to. The final reason is it is an excellent cross country course with good on-site parking and is very spectator friendly.

“I am sure everyone will really enjoy the venue and it will prove to be a real testing course.”