Cross country success for brothers

A record 550 runners attended the event at Waterhall, Brighton, despite the muddy course and threat of rain.

Year-11 pupil Jack Leitch finished 14th in the inter-boys race and has now been automatically selected to represent Sussex in an inter­-county race in February.

His brother Matt Leitch, also in Year 11, finished 21st in the same race and now has to wait to see if he will join Jack in qualifying.

Millie Hughes, Year 9, finished 53rd in a field of more than 200 junior girls, and Max Holland, year nine, ran in the junior boys race.Nicky Stevenson, a PE teacher at Worthing High, said: “The course was pretty challenging and extremely muddy, slippery and very narrow in places, so good stamina was needed to combat the slopes and uphill part, and a determined tactical race plan to keep ahead and know when and where to overtake.

“Our students did very well and we are proud of their achievements.”

The event was organised by Chris Jones and the Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove.