Callum Walsh revealed what brought him his first outright cross country win – mental fortitude.

Herts Advertiser: Jessica Laitner Photo: Mark EastonJessica Laitner Photo: Mark Easton (Image: Mark Easton)

The Verulam schoolboy took the win in the U15 boys race at the Chiltern Cross Country League on Saturday in Bedfordshire.

And asked after the race what had given him the edge, the St Albans Athletics Club man said, “I had it in my head”.

A spokeswoman for the club said: “Callum has been training with the club since he was eight and it is fantastic to see him win in one of the hardest age groups.”

The meeting saw a number of races from U11 through to vets. The races take the runners through mud, fields and the extra challenge of a water jump.

Herts Advertiser: Paul Adams Photo: Mark EastonPaul Adams Photo: Mark Easton (Image: Mark Easton)

And a joint team from St Albans Athletics Club and St Albans Striders saw athletes feature in each of the races.

Jess Laitner continued her progress with a confident sixth place in the U15 race, which saw four other runners make the top-20.

Keira Stern was ninth, Emily Anders 14th, Freya Stern 17th and Sophie Robin 20th.

In the U11 girls, Antonia Jubb was 10th with Pippa Willis and Elsa Leech taking part in their first cross country race.

James McDonald also took part in his first race, finishing 23rd in the U11 boys race.

Seven girls represented the club in the U13 race, with Niamh Gallagher first home. In the boys race Jake Leech was first of three to cross the line.

The club was well-represented in the under 17/20 women’s race with Rachel Parlour and Tabitha Weddell being first two athletes home.

In the senior men’s race, Paul Adams finished 11th with Edward Anders of Beaumont School, in his first senior race, the seventh Strider home.

Wendy Webster was first Strider to finish in the senior women’s race, finishing eighth.

She was closely followed by teammates Martha Hall, 16th, and Wendy Walsh, 22nd.