GEMMA Holloway says winning a silver medal at the English Schools Cross-Country Championships has proved she is on the right track for a top running career.

The 17-year-old, from Grays, had the best result of her career in Blackburn on Saturday when she finished second in the senior girls race, leading her Essex team to gold too. It caps an impressive winter for the Palmer’s College student who has recorded top 10 finishes in the English Championships and UK Intercounties Championships.

On top of that, she has been identified by the country’s top cross-country scouts and is likely to receive international call-ups in the near future.

All of this has made Holloway even more determined to carve out a long career in running.

“I was really happy with winning a silver medal,” said Holloway, a Thurrock Harrier.

“I was a bit disappointed straight afterwards because I thought I could have won the race but now I have thought about it I’m happy with the silver.

“It has made me even more determined to be successful. I know I’m close and knowing selectors have been watching is good.

“I’m still eligible to run in the under-20 age group next year and that should give me a real chance.”

Echo:

Gemma Holloway leading the way at the English Schools Cross-Country Championships

Although Holloway will be able to compete in the under-20 age group she will no longer be eligible for the English Schools Championships and she said it was good to sign off in style in Blackburn.

“It was my last one so it was good to win an individual silver and lead the team to gold.

“We’ve won the team event for a few years now so it was nice to keep that going.”

Holloway was well backed up by Essex’s senior girls as they stormed to gold.

Georgia Tuckfield was a fine ninth place while Jess Burgess (12th), Madeleine Henderson (20th), Lydia Hallam (52nd) and Katie Solis (60th) made up the scoring team. Isobel Ives (91st) and Megan Williams (123d) completed the team.

Behind the senior girls, the next best Essex finishers were the intermediate girls and junior boys, who both finished fifth overall.

Khai Mhlanga led the intermediate girls home in 26th place, just ahead of training partner Jodie Judd (28th).

Benfleet’s Sinead Clark (67th) and Basildon AC’s Niamh Smith (104th) both ran well to be among Essex’s top six counters.

Basildon AC youngster Oliver Lill (216th) and Thurrock Harrier Jack Exley (238th) were both in the junior boys squad.

The senior boys finished sixth overall with Basildon AC’s George Elliott showing well for 36th spot.

Elliott’s club-mates Adam Houchell and Christian Gray were 114th and 155th while Southend AC duo Joe Ray and Adam Jordan were 162nd and 217th.

In the junior girls race, Southend AC’s Joanna Rimmington was the second Essex scorer in 67th place as the team finished 12th overall.

Thurrock Harriers pair Amber Pullinger (89th) and Hayley Instance (125th) both ran well to finish third and fourth Essex scorers.

Basildon AC’s Max Jones had a good run in the intermediate boys race, finishing in 50th position.