Tonbridge AC enjoyed a glorious day at the 127th English National Cross-Country Championships in Wollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday, reports Alan Newman.

There were 7,700 entries in the 10-race programme and Tonbridge had one individual title to defend (under-13, Thomas Kendrick) and team trophies for the under-13 boys and under-17 men to return from last year’s event at Sunderland.

This year, the final team tally was one gold, two silver and two bronze and there were near misses for Alasdair Kinloch (4th, under-15) and Kathleen Faes (4th, under-13) as individual medals proved elusive.

There were other Kent club successes as Sabrina Sinha (Cambridge Harriers) won the under-15 girls’ title and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers are the new under-15 girls’ team champions.

Tonbridge’s under-13 girls were third led by Kathleen Faes (4th) who was 13 seconds behind the winner. The team bronze medals were won by Ellen Crombie (46th), Vita de Munck (64th) and Clara Tyler (76th).

Tonbridge were only beaten by Bedford and County in the under-15 boys’ race. Team silver was gained by Alasdair Kinloch (4th), Jesse Magorrian (12th), Jamie Goodge (21st) and James Puxty (30th).

The under-15 girls’ race was won in style by last year’s bronze medallist, Sabrina Sinha (Cambridge Harriers). Naomi Kingston (5th) and Jessica Keene (10th) led Blackheath to the team title.

The under-17 men’s race saw defending champions Tonbridge back among the medals again. The team collected bronze this time through the efforts of Chris Cohen (22nd), George Duggan (37th), Stuart Brown (42nd) and Tim Faes (66th).

Invicta East Kent athletes starred in the under-17 women’s race. Bobby Clay took individual silver, four seconds behind champion Lydia Turner (Birtley AC). Invicta were fourth, Blackheath 10th and Tonbridge 13th team.

The under-20 men’s race saw Tonbridge take the top step on the podium thanks to the efforts of Robbie Farnham-Rose (8th), Ryan Driscoll (14th), Corey De’ath (21st) and Max Nicholls (24th).

There was a silver lining to the Tonbridge team effort in the under-20 women’s race, where Alex Clay (Invicta) was fourth overall. Team silver was pocketed by Nicola Wilkinson (15th), Nicole Taylor (18th) and Sophie Foreman (44th).

Four-time Kent champion, John Gilbert (Kent AC) was sixth of 1,657 finishers in the senior men’s race for his best ever cross-country result. Kent AC was 11th in the team results ahead of Blackheath (17th), Tonbridge (25th) and Cambridge Harriers (29th). Ben Cole (89th) made the top 100 for Tonbridge.

Tonbridge (25th) was the leading Kent club in the senior women’s race, with Lucy Reid (65th) the leading scorer.