Hundreds of young athletes bounded through the mud and cold today as they took part in the Hertfordshire Schools Cross Country Championships.

The event, in Verulamium Park, St Albans, was organised by the Hertfordshire Schools Athletics Association.

Pupils from more than 50 secondary schools, cheered on by hundreds of parents and friends, tackled a boggy range of courses ranging in length from 1,500 to 7,400 metres.

The top eight finishers from each of these categories may now be selected to represent the county in a national competition held in March.

Eleven-year-old James Grout, from Bishop’s Stortford High School, is likely to pull on a coveted Hertfordshire vest after finishing eighth in his age group.

He said: “I’d never done any proper running before starting secondary school but found out I was quite good at it. I enjoy these competitions and will keep doing them.”

County Schools Athletics secretary Ian Graham, however, stressed that his main goal was to see as many children taking part as possible – regardless of their athletic ability.

He added: “It’s just great to have so many kids out enjoying running. It’s been a very cold but we’ve had a great turn out in all age groups. We’ve been helped by more than 60 volunteers and they’ve all done a great job.”

Runner Kate Mcquaid, 11, of Presdales School, in Ware, said she thoroughly enjoyed the vent despite finishing lower down the filed in her race. She said: I’ll definitely do it again next year but I think I’ll put in a bit more practice.”

Full results listings will be available from the association’s website (www.hssa.info) tomorrow.