ANOTHER weekend of top-level competition has demonstrated that many North Somerset athletes are ready to compete not only at regional level, but are heading toward being competitive nationally within the next couple of years.

ANOTHER weekend of top-level competition has demonstrated that many North Somerset athletes are ready to compete not only at regional level, but are heading toward being competitive nationally within the next couple of years.

The prestigious Bristol mile races and street sprints on College Green precede the half-marathon, and entice athletes from Cornwall, Birmingham, Swansea and London to the city.

The course is a little tricky as it is run around the College Green pathways, a triangle which makes fast times difficult thanks to some tight corners. North Somerset Athletics Academy athletes have won only six medals in the last four years, but this year saw a total of nine medals for the elite squad, more than any other club in the Under-11, 13, and 15 categories. Five of the six NSAA records were broken this year, with only the Under-11 boys' record remaining intact.

The Under-11 girls' race was dominated by Flax Bourton athlete Jasmin Emery.

Running a mature race, she controlled her pace before kicking convincingly away from her main rival to win in 6:15minutes, just outside the course record. Team-mate Ellie Burrows (High Down) ran a strongly in her first competitive race, and can feel pleased in finishing sixth.

Disappointingly, NSAA were not represented in the Under-11 boys' category.

The Under-13 girls' race saw Clevedon's Katie Grinyer flying away from her

rivals over the last 300 metres in a devastating piece of middle-distance running in 5:58minutes. Katie's irresistible combination of strength and raw speed will surely see her be a major player at national level in the next couple of years. Katie was just six seconds off the course record.

A superb sprint finish from Ellie Parker had her wishing she had committed a little

earlier. The Backwell athlete came from nowhere to fly past the third place athlete, and narrowly miss out on the silver medal. A bronze medal in 6:04 minutes indicates another exciting prospect. To add to the excitement, Backwell's Chloe Buck was not far behind in fifth place.

The Under-13 boys had Backwell's Kody Mortimer showing character as he

battled through to a silver medal, just behind UK No 3 from Cornwall, in

5:34 minutes. He was ably supported by Gordano athletes Zach Sow (fifth), Ben

Greenslade (eighth) and Will Binnington (ninth).

Highlight of the Under-15 girls' race was the battle for bronze between Churchill's Catherine Hughes and Backwell's Rosie Parsons. Both were credited with a time of 6.07 minutes, and Rosie was adjudged to have sneaked ahead of her teammate.

The Under-15 boys' winner was Cameron Coetzee. Mentally tough, and fit,

Gordano's Cam has developed tactical nous and the ability to know when and

how to strike to his repertoire. A victory was secured, missing the course

record by just four seconds in 4:52 minutes. Coetzee is another athlete who could

develop into a difficult to beat competitor on the national stage. Backwell

athletes Calum Hannay (5:18) and Brad Parker posted personal bests for the course,

finishing seventh and 11th.

The final two events of the day were the street sprints. All three athletes from NSAA were from Yatton Primary School, and ran superbly. Lucas Mortimer was knocked out in the semi-finals, but Aidan Paul and Pippa Reilly progressed through to the finals by winning their semis. Pip made a lightning start, ran aggressively, and looked to have won. A dead heat was the result, causing confusion and surprise all around, particularly as Pip was interviewed afterward as the winner.

Aidan Paul produced another magnificent performance. Technically a joy to

watch, he won this 75m race by a full five metres, looking majestic. In

winning, Aidan retains the trophy he won last year. NSAA have now won the

boys' race twice and the girls' race twice in the three years it has been running.

NORTH Somerset Athletics Academy presents the fourth annual cross-country relay at Backwell Secondary School on Saturday, October 3, from 1 to 3pm.

Entry fee is �12 per team of four, Years 2 to 4 (4 x 0.25 miles); Years 5 and 6 (4 x 0.50 miles); Years 7 and 8 (4 x 0.75 miles), Years 9 to 11 (4 x 1 miles).

Enjoy creating a team of four, design a name, wear fancy dress if you wish and enjoy an afternoon of fun competition. Prizes for first three teams in each category, for fastest leg runner in each race, best fancy dress costumes and most imaginative team name.

If you wish to be involved, but are unable to organise a team, contact us and we will pair you up with similar athletes. The course is grass, and is suitable for spikes or trainers.

For more details or for entry forms, e-mail chribtg@blueyonder.co.uk, www.fitnessontrack.co.uk, www,nsall.me.uk

Only athletes who live or school in North Somerset are eligible to compete. Anyone who impresses will be invited to join the prestigious North Somerset Athletics Academy for the next training year.