Teenager Mohamed Mohamud was the surprise package for Herne Hill Harriers at the English Schools Cross Country Championships last weekend, but not to everyone.

The 14-year-old was the club’s outstanding performer finishing ninth in the U15 3.6km race, clocking 12 minutes 14 seconds over the Blackburn course.

As a result, Mohamud, a pupil at Ernest Bevin College, has secured a slot as first reserve for the schools’ international in Ireland this weekend.

Friend Keith Newton said: “Mohamed is unknown at this level, but he was the highlight for the club.

“I had an inkling that he was a real prospect when, over Christmas, I struggled to hold on to him running 18:30 for 5km on Streatham Common. I had no doubt on that day that he was a big talent.”

Mohamud helped his London side finish 10th overall, supported by Turkay Korkmaz (12:33) and Oscar Millard (12:40).

In the junior girls’ race over 3.2km, Eimear Griffin, running for Berkshire, ran 12:07 for 29th place, and club and county team-mate Clarissa Nicholls ran 12:14 for 40th.

Representing London were Lucy Olsen (36th, 12:12) and Alex Brown (86th, 12:28).

The highest team placing for London was seventh in the intermediate girls’ race, where three Herne Hill athletes contributed to the scoring six.

Zoe Tompkins finished the 3.6km course 62nd in 13:54, followed within five seconds by Kate Brown in 69th, and Ella Newton (13:58) in 75th.