A CONVINCING win boosted Kendal AC runner James Knox ahead of a crack at the National Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers.

Knox, from Levens, who won the U13 National title two years ago, was first through the finish line first in the U15 boys race at the Mid-Lancs Cross Country meeting at Lawsons ground, Blackpool.

He came home 12 seconds clear of Liverpool Harrier Owen Short, who he was beating for the first time.

Kendal team-mate Mark Sullivan came to Blackpool straight from football to finish 16th.

It was dry and warm day at Blackpool with no wind to speak of, although the course was wet and boggy in places.

Another Kendal runner to show excellent form was Cole Blakie in the U11 boys race.

He controlled the race from start to finish, lying off the place until the very last 400 metres when he used his finishing speed to win cleverly by three seconds.

Kendal’s senior man Danny Parkinson in contrast had an unlucky day out at the seaside.

He had been in contention for the race lead with James Douglas before turned an ankle - not once but twice - on the boggy section, forcing him to pull out.

Kendal colleague Phil Lee in only his second cross-country event ran well to be 58th.

Dave Wright fought cramp for two laps did well to finish in 137th and Paul Percival Smith was 155th.

Dallam’s Eddie Simpson was 31st.

Katherine Winrow carried the flag for the Kendal women when she was 43rd.

Elsewhere, Erin Procter was pipped by training partner Heidi in the U13 girls to finish 18th and 19th respectively, while U15 girl Bella Gray ran well to finish 14th in 12.08.

Helm Hill Runners’ best performance came from Sarah Atkinson, who was third in a blanket finish to the U11 girls race, with team-mate Imogen Burrow 22nd. Georgia Stevens was 21st in the U13 girls and Nathan Chadwick 31st in the U13 boys.

Glaxo Hoad Hill were fifth team in the men’s race with Richard Watson leading the way in 28th.

The penultimate race in the series takes place at Beacon Park, Skelmersdale, on March 12.