Herne Hill Harriers coach James McDonald has trained some outstanding young athletes, but he is excited more than ever by the talent of his latest batch of runners.

While McDonald continues his fight against cancer, his proteges have been fighting their way to national glory.

The middle distance youngsters continued their outstanding form this winter season by returning from the English National Cross Country relay championships in Mansfield with two team golds, a team bronze and four top 10 finishes.

Harriers’ U13 and U15 girls’ teams led the charge, both teams claiming gold, while the U13 boys were rewarded with bronze medals in a very exciting battle for the finish line.

Although not quite adding to the medal collection, Herne Hill also celebrated an unprecedented fourth place over 2.5k for the U17 women’s team of Ella Newton (9:04), Zoe Tompkins (9:27) and Kate Brown (9:19).

The victorious U13 girls over 2k were Jessica Tabraham (seven minutes 30 seconds), Lulu King (7:35) and Maisie Collis (7:10).

Wandsworth Times:

The victorious U13 girls

Also running over 2k, the U15s team of Eimear Griffin (7:08), Lucy Olsen (7:08) and Alex Brown (7:04) brought home the gold.

Winning U13s bronze over the same distance were Jacob Solon (7:10), Jaden Kennedy (6:40) and Jacob Harrison (7:26).

Demonstrating impressive strength in depth, 42 of Herne Hill's top young middle distance runners competed in the national event.

On an individual level, Kennedy ran the third fastest leg in the U13 age group, just eight seconds off top spot.

Collis also took third overall in the girls’ U13s and running mate Tabraham was eighth.

In the boys’ U15, Mohamed Mohamud clocked 6:17 to take third overall, and the entire U15 girls team finished in the top 10 with Brown in third, Olsen in fifth and Griffin in sixth.

McDonald said: “We have some tremendous talent at the club, but Jaden [Kennedy] is simply unbelievable.

“He likes to play football as well, and I worry that he will get an injury, but at the moment he is unstoppable.”

Geoff Jerwood, who coaches the club’s senior sides, said: “It all bodes well for the club, and I hope the youngsters continue their progression with us.

“It can be hard to keep them involved when university or college or other interests come along.”