The Essex Schools Cross Country Championships, held at Gloucester Park, Basildon on Saturday , saw 14 year old Gemma Holloway, a year 10 pupil from William Edwards School, take on some tough competition in her 4.6k race, up against girls three years older than her.
Despite being scored separately, the Inter Girls (year 10 & 11) and Senior Girls (year 12 & 13) ran together to make up the 87 runners on the cold and windy start line.
Quietly determined, Gemma showed great strength and confidence, winning the Inter Girls race in a comfortable 17mins 23secs, just 48 seconds behind 17 year old Jessica Judd who won the Senior race.
This Saturday Gemma will represent Thurrock in the South of England Saucony Main Cross Country Championships in Brighton.
