A HELSBY runner showed he is a real class act by winning the English Schools Cross Country Championships.
Harry Ellis, 18, produced an outstanding finish to win by six seconds over an undulating and muddy course at Heaton Park, Manchester.
The Helsby High School sixth-former’s victory brought him national attention as he was pictured in the Daily Telegraph and on the cover of Athletics Weekly magazine.
Harry, who was representing Cheshire in Manchester, formed part of an early breakaway group of eight athletes for the first 2k.
The mid-point of the race saw Ben Connor (Derbyshire) make a sudden break and he quickly opened up a 50m lead before Harry pulled himself back into medal contention over the last lap.
The race came alive in the last mile, with Karl Billington (Lancashire) making a bid for victory as he opened up what looked to be a winning lead.
But as the race reached its final kilometre, Harry gave chase and pulled into a clear second place.
The Cheshire runner drew level along the short climb into the last section of the race, then kicked on to produce a truly outstanding finish that brought home the title.
Harry is a former West Cheshire AC athlete who now represents Warrington AC, where he receives coaching from Phil Hicken.
His victory in Manchester capped an unbelievable week for Hicken’s training group, as Warrington AC runner Matt Jackson celebrated England selection for the Home Countries International.
Having brought his winter season to a close in style – adding to his North of England indoor 3,000m title and his selections to represent England in Spain, Brussels and Gateshead – Harry now moves into the track and field season with the aim of achieving a Team GB vest over 1,500m.
