More than 100 running clubs took part in the Southern Cross-country Championships - with St Albans Striders right in the thick of it.

Held over a challenging course at Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham, the Striders' women's team finished in an excellent 22nd place, led home by Freya Weddel.

Lily Seach, Louise Bentham and Lauren Eckley made up the other scorers.

The men’s team had a creditable 32nd place, with Jonathan Pennell the first of them home ahead of Ed Anders, Andrew Shaw, Thomas Croft, Richard Davis and Joe McCormick.

The best individual performance of the day was Sophie Jacobs who came second in the U17 race, just one second behind the winner.

Annabel Hedge and Yau Ka Charlotte Kan were also well placed.

Sarah McGrath and Lily Tse were 14th and 26th respectively in the U20 women’s event.

Striders U13 girls claimed 15th place in their race thanks to Georgia Tongue, Emma Treloar, Lily Kennedy and Charlotte Ross Arevalo while in the U17 boys, Adam Smith and Thomas Bailey were both in the top 100.

Isaac Gibson-Dunt finished 34th place in the U13 Boys.

Elsewhere, Hollie Ryder was ninth female at the Bedford 10 mile event in a time of on hour 14 minutes 17 seconds.

Craig Dowie was the first of four male Striders home in 1:15:20.