KATHERINE Deal found the going tough as she took on the best in the South of England at Exmouth on Saturday. Competing in the Under 15's race, Katherine, who is partially sighted, finished in 11th place. The 14-year-old was up against athletes a year olde

KATHERINE Deal found the going tough as she took on the best in the South of England at Exmouth on Saturday. Competing in the Under 15's race, Katherine, who is partially sighted, finished in 11th place. The 14-year-old was up against athletes a year older than her and also had to contend with a number of twists and turns in the course which made things difficult. Coach George Harrison said: "She had more running in her legs and I think she would have really liked to be in the top 10. There were lots of right hand and left hand turns and Katherine found it tough, we learned that even when she is not out in front she needs a guide. When a gap opened up she was running blind and had to stop at some points in the course." Despite the problems Katherine came in only 46 seconds behind the second-placed athlete and Harrison is now keen to find out whether she can have a boy to guide her. He said: "We are looking to find out if she can have a boy guide. The race on Saturday was a learning curve for us all and we need to make sure she has a guide in future." In the Under 15's Boys, St Columba's College pupil Niall Fleming came home in 31st but in the Under 17's there was a big blow for Dominic Easter. The talented runner from St Albans was competing with the leaders until he suffered a severe chest pain and had to stop. It was disappointing for the 16-year-old and coach Harrison said: "He made a good start and was up with the leaders at about 10 minutes but then he felt a massive pain in his chest and it scared him. I think he was right to stop because he was in excruciating pain after. He seems alright now but it is hard to say what caused it." Becky Gardner claimed 31st position to finish as the top local athlete in the Under 17's with a time of 22:16. Lucy Yates was 47th in 23:02, and Claire Simm ran well to come in 51st with a time of 23:17.