RAYLEIGH’S Robert Runciman bounced back from injury to win a hat-trick of honours at the English Schools Combined Events Championships.

The 14-year-old continued his fine year with a silver medal in the junior boys pentathlon, which helped the Essex team win the team prize and earned Runciman his first England vest.

The Sweyne Park School pupil racked up three personal bests during the competition, a remarkable achievement given he has only just recovered from a foot injury that had prevented him from competing since the English Schools Championships in early July.

His PBs came in the 80m hurdles (11.67s), the shot put (12.31m) and the 800m (2m 14.12s) and helped him to an overall points tally of 2,986, another PB.

Unfortunately, the injury hampered his efforts in his strongest event, the high jump where he was some way down on his best but that still did not stop him from finishing second and qualifying to represent England at the Home Nations Multi-Events Championships in Glasgow in December.

Echo:

Robert Runciman in his England tracksuit

Runciman was well backed up by his Essex team-mates at the championships in Boston, Lincolnshire, last weekend.

Southend High School for Boys’ pupil Spencer Owen had a fantastic competition too.

Owen set PBs in the 80m hurdles (12.00s) and shot (12.31m) before jumping 5.33m in the long jump, clearing 1.57m in the high jump and running 2m 18.9s in the 800m for a new best points tally of 2.697.

The result was particularly impressive as Owen still has another year of competing in the junior boys age group to look forward too.

Thurrock Harriers’ William Adeyeye (80mh 11.46s, SP 13.39m, LJ 5.54m, HJ 1.54m, 800m 2m 39.73s) was 11th overall with 2,582 points and Runciman’s Chelmsford AC team-mate Will Kerwin 35th with 1,938 despite being disqualified in the 80m hurdles.

It all meant Essex were triumphant in the team standings.