ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
David Stone recorded a memorable victory in his first competitive race by winning the under-11 Hertfordshire County Cross Country Championships.
Stone, who is 10 and studies at the Independent Jewish Day school in Hendon, was wearing the colours of Shaftesbury Harriers, with whom he trains every Tuesday. He finished 100 metres and 20 seconds clear of the field in a time of 5:21 over the 1,600m course, a speed of 11.25mph.
The youngster’s next competition comes in the midweek Barnet Schools under-13 Championships in two weeks followed by trials for the London mini-marathon.
Stone's Shaftesbury Barnet team-mates Jessica Hurley, 13, and Rebecca Hurley, 14, placed fifth and 23rd respectively in their age group races in the same championships.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Simmons of Sale Harriers won the 600m at the Sportscity Manchester indoor open meeting, recording 1:36.13s.
Ealing, Southall and Middlesex runner Sam Shindler-Glass,16, finished fifth in the under-17 Middlesex cross-country championship, while Highgate AC's Ben Hatch, 14, placed ninth in the under-15 event.
Shaftesbury Barnet's James Grant achieved an indoor PB of 4.03m to place fourth in the pole vault at the Metaswitch Games at Lee Valley.
Additional reporting from Brian Sacks