Schools International Cross Country  – Dublin, 29th March 2003

A trio of Havering Mayesbrook athletes made excellent international debuts on Saturday competing for England in the Schools Cross Country International in Dublin.  All three - Megan Foley, Katie Richardson and Ross Clarke – came home with team gold medals as England dominated the affair, and Megan and Katie both added individual bronze.

After the hilly English School’s course at Brighton the pancake flat parkland course, was ideal for Havering Mayesbrook’s lightly built track specialists. After medals in the inter counties, nationals, and schools another good result from Megan, from Hornchurch, was always on the cards in the intermediate girls' race. The Sanders Draper GCSE student didn’t disappoint, placing third in 14m 26 secs, just four seconds behind England team mate Nicola Sykes, and one second behind Leonie Smith, as England swept the board with the first five finishers to walk away with team gold.

If Megan's third place was in line with her most recent form, Katie's excellent result in the junior girls race was a big improvement after her sixth place finish in the English schools championships at the hilly Brighton course.

Gaynes pupil Katie, 14, clocked 12m 25 secs, just two seconds down on runner up England’s Danielle Walker, the national Schools’ champion, as Non Stafford from Wales finished 80m ahead of the field. As the other England athletes packed the finishing positions from 6th to 10th in the 32 athlete field there was an easy victory in the team stakes.

Ross Clarke, 14 from Rainham, also marked his England vest with a superb result - placing seventh - when he had only finished in this position in the English Schools championships.  He was fifth England athlete home, and with six to score also came home with team gold.

All three training partners are coached at Hornchurch Stadium by experienced middle distance coach Dave Naylor.