‘Surprise’ bronzefor athlete

The Rotherham Harriers cross country runner came up against strong competition at a blustery Thorne’s Park, Wakefield, including international athletes.

Coach Nigel Brookes told the Guardian: “It was one of the strongest fields for several years, and a very testing course.”

“Last year Jade finished 23rd but having already clinched the South Yorkshire individual and league titles this winter, she was confident of surprising a few people.”

A positive start saw the 21-year-old mixing it with some big names, and she left them trailing in her wake to produce a career-best performance.

And the result is another step up in class.

Brookes said: “With the first six selected to represent Yorkshire in the Inter Counties Championships in Birmingham later this season, Jade can now look forward to running in the same team as Great Britain’s Hatti Dean and test herself at the next level.”

Allen, who picked up a team silver medal at the same event, is also hopeful of securing a place in a North of England squad that will compete abroad.