IT has been a long season but Wiltshire cross country ace Kiya Dee shows no sign of running out of steam.

The Highworth Running Club athlete was crowned British Athletics Cross Challenge champion last weekend after adding the Inter-Counties title to her long list of her achievements this winter.

Displaying remarkable strength and no little determination Dee held off a strong field in extremely challenging conditions at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough, on Saturday to complete a clean sweep of the qualifying races.

“Kiya is delighted to take both the Inter Counties title and the British Cross title in very difficult conditions,” said proud mother Diane.

“The ground was very sticky and holding. There were a lot of lost shoes.

“Kiya took the lead early on with the Scottish champion in pursuit but she managed to hold her lead until the end.

“Her closest rival for the Cross Challenge title finished in 13th so that gave her the second title of the day.”

Dee’s campaign to win the overall British title started back on October 12 when she won the opening U15 girl’s race in Cardiff.

Further victories at Milton Keynes and Liverpool before Christmas strengthened her position and when Dee won the penultimate fixture after making the long trek to Stirling, Scotland, the title was hers barring disaster.

In between Dee has also won the English and South West titles in her age group and her only defeat this winter has come at the hands of Wiltshire rival Bea Wood, from Salisbury, in the inter girls’ age group at the South West Schools’ Championships.

Being a year older, Wood, an exceptional talent herself, has the advantage in the schools’ competitions and it will be one she will hope will serve her well when she leads the Wiltshire medal bid at the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday.

Dee will also be on the start line, wearing the colours of Gloucestershire and while her superb form means she always has a chance of making the podium the goal will be to finish in the top eight.

“Kiya is the younger of the two-year inter age group but will be still trying to finish top eight to represent England in the British Schools’ Cross Country International,” added Diane Dee.