JODIE Judd was delighted to make it into the top 10 in the under-13 girls’ race on a course she does not consider one of her favourites.

The 12-year-old Castle View School pupil produced a fantastic run to finish in ninth place at Parliament Hill, surpassing even her own expectations.

“I was really happy,” said Judd. “I was aiming to get into the top 20 so it was nice to be in the top 10.

“I never really run well on the course so was really not expecting it to have gone so well.”

As usual, the under-13 race was a frantic affair, with Judd in ninth finishing just 22 seconds behind the winner and the top 40 all coming in within about a minute of each other.

And Judd put herself in the mix for a high-placed finish right from the gun.

“I was in the lead group from the start,” said Judd. “I was a bit shocked to find myself there to be honest, but it was a nice feeling.

“It was a really nice day and great to finish so highly.”

* Judd’s Chelmsford AC team-mate Kiera Tippett ran well to finish in 71st place, while Tippett’s fellow King John School pupil Niamh Smith (Basildon AC) was a terrific 41st.

Basildon AC duo Jemima Walker and Ellie Coombs were 81st and 284th while Natasha May (Southend AC) was 136th.