TEENAGERS from a Yorkshire school are celebrating after claiming victory in a four by two mile running event for the third year running.
The team from Bradford Grammar School (BGS) took part in the prestigious King Henry VIII Relay Race, in Coventry, where they comfortably won the girls’ race, finishing one minute 35 seconds ahead of Upton Hall School in the Wirral and bettering the course record by more than two minutes.
Rebecca Flaherty, Emily Gibbins, Carla Barennes and Amelie Lane, in that order, each ran a 2.3 mile long leg to clinch the title among about 60 schools from across the country.
The BGS boys’ team comprising Theo Clay, Joseph Howson, Daniel Barennes, Tom Threlfall, Ben Hill and Alex Flaherty also finished a commendable ninth in a very competitive race.
Sally Bareness, specialist running coach at BGS, said: “Both of our teams ran really well.
“We were hoping the girls would retain the trophy but there’s never any guarantee and never more so than in a relay when each team member has to perform, there being no opportunity to fall back on a reserve. To knock such a significant amount off the course record, as well, was a great achievement.
“For the boys, it’s the first time in several years that BGS has fielded a team, so that in itself is a great result as well as the 9th place finish.”
The prizes at the race were presented by middle-long distance runner David Moorcroft OBE, Olympian and former 5,000 metre world record holder.
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster at Bradford Grammar School, said: “We’re proud of both the teams for successfully representing BGS and credit goes to the girls for the fantastic achievement of winning the relays for the third year running.”
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