JUNIOR runners from North East Wales were in top form at the British Cross Challenge Cardiff.

Deeside’s s Mia Roberts (16:55) clinched a fourth place finish in the U17G category, finishing 13th outright in the female section and ahead of Wrexham’s Eden O’Dea (17:49).

Deesiders Imogen Owen (18:08) and Ceri Jones (22:55) followed on in outright positions of 33rd and 56th respectively.

Huw Jones was Deeside’s fastest U15 boys’ runner as he clocked 10:54 on the event’s shorter course to finish ahead of clubmates Tyler Cartlidge (11:06) and Matt Anthony (11:28).

Neisha Roberts (12:47) was Deeside’s strongest U15 girls’ runner in 15th overall, while Maisy Parry (10:55) and Eden Edwards (11:06) finished sixth and 10th in their race.

The opening Border League meeting of the season in New Brighton saw Buckley Runners man and defending champion Ricky Challinor (25:36) beaten into second place on the five mile course by Ellesmere Port’s Dave Bennett (25:26).

Deesider Lee Jones (26:37) claimed a creditable fifth place finish with Wrexham’s Luke Northall (26:55) in ninth ahead of Ryan Davis (27:35) and Buckley’s Elliot Cox (27:38) in 15th and 17th respectively.

Clubmate Rheagan Edwards was the fastest female runner on the day, clocking 32:57 to finish in 150th place in a 400-strong field.

Among the Wrexham finishers to make the top 100 were Joel Gomes (28:09), Gareth Chaloner (29:24) and Gary Norgrove (29:42), along with with Deesiders James Jones (28:01) and Harri Evans (29:29).

Sion Roberts spearheaded West Cheshire’s charge.

The first under 20 junior finisher completed the five mile course along New Brighton promenade in a time of 27 minutes 17 seconds to finish in 12th position.

Roberts was backed up by Ellie Robinson (third over-45 lady in 34:27).

Emma Crowe was first over the line for Wrexham at the Farndon 10k as she recorded a time of 38:14 to place 19th overall.

She was followed by clubmates Lee Bird (39:05), Clive Boulton (39:33) and Chester Road Runners man Gareth Coyne (43.56)

Chester road runners were well represented at the Manchester Half Marathon where Nathan Bower was first home in 1:42.44, followed by Daniel Sherwin (1:45.16), Becky Rowland (1:55:00) and Laura Gauntlett (2:04:00).

Nick Venables was Wrexham AC’s sole representative in Manchester as he clocked a time of 1:59:52 in the race.

Wrexham junior runner Ella Davis set a new PB time of 22:40 at the Erddig ParkRun.

Elliot Cox (20:26) was second fastest at Wepre’s ParkRun, ahead of Deeside’s Stephen Jolly (21:57), Buckley’s Karl Williams (22:15) and Wrexham man Mike Robbins (23:03).

Colwyn Bay’s Eirias Park plays host to the latest North Wales Junior Cross Country League meeting on Saturday with a start time of 10.30am, with senior action starting at 2pm.

Mold will be the starting point for Sunday’s Flintshire 10k at 10.30am and the 5k race at 9.30am. The more testing Clwydian Hills Race begins at 11am in Cilcain.