Wakefield Harriers runner Thomas Hastings helps England to gold on his international debut

The Harriers youngster earned England selection with his impressive run in the national cross country championships.

In the SIAB International Cross Country match he lined up against the top junior boys from Ireland, Scotland and Wales and signed off his excellent season with a third place finish.

His efforts helped the England team take gold in the junior boys 3,000m team event.

The undulating course was tough, spreading the pack out early. Thomas navigated the race confidently and saved enough energy to sprint home and take the individual bronze medal.

A podium finish and a team gold in his first international race made a fitting end to a season in which Thomas and his club have made a mark.

Harriers had six athletes in the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Bringing together the top athletes from school years 8 to 13 from each of the 46 counties in England, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year.

The junior boys race saw one of the most exciting finishes for years, with Thomas Hastings being involved in a tied finish for first.

After much deliberation he was given second place, the same time as the winner of 9:51 for the 3.2km course.

The fast improving Sydney Swan ran his best race to date, finishing in 60th place, with his Wakefield teammate Dan Jones doing well to finish 276th after losing a shoe in the large field of 351 starters.

Isabella Tutt was under par for her intermediate girls race, finishing in 39th place, but helping the West Yorkshire team to third place in another huge start line of 338 athletes.

Senior girls Rosie Thistlewood and Sylvie Ellis finished 95th and 180th respectively over their 4.1km course, with over 300 of the best runners from school years 12 and 13 taking up the undulating grassland course.