Despite the mud a record number of 550 runners competed at the Sussex Schools cross-country championships.

The event at Waterhall, Brighton, was organised by Chris Jones as well as students and staff from Cardinal Newman Catholic School and it saw the largest number of runners for at least a decade, justifying the decision to switch the race to a Wednesday from its traditional Saturday date.

The afternoon opened with a sparkling run from Brighton and Hove High School’s Almi Nerurkar, who left the rest of the under-15 girls behind as she romped to an outstanding victory in 12 minutes, 38 seconds, despite this being only her first year in the age group.

Almi, 13, is one of the youngest winners since the rules prevented Year 7 athletes from competing.

Naomi Fonteyn, from Blatchington Mill, who is only a couple of months older than Almi, took second place in 13 minutes and 9 seconds, while Charlotte Matthews, from Cardinal Newman, came third in 13 minutes and 44 seconds.

Claremont’s Dylan Leisinger took the boys’ under-15 title in 16 minutes and 40 seconds but George Crocker, from Hazelwick, and Joe Body, from St Richards, were snapping at his heels to fill second and third places.

As anticipated, BACA’s Stephen Ferroni, in his first year in the under-17 age group, was in control throughout the race and finished about 40 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

Stephen came home in 22 minutes and 17 seconds. Toby Lewis from Brighton College had an excellent run to clock 22 minutes and 58 seconds, and Luke Cooper, from Rye, ran 23 minutes and 22 seconds.

The girls’ race saw Rosie Ellis, from Chichester High, put sufficient daylight between herself and Cardinal Newman’s Martha Coyle to take the title, with Sophie Markwick, frem Helenswood, claiming the bronze medal.

The largest victory of the afternoon came from Grace Baker, from Bexhill, who put nearly two minutes between herself and her nearest rival in the under-19 race, clocking 17:15 ,and she will be looking to add to her medal collection at the English Schools Championships in March.

Leah Harris, of Worthing High, and Esther Lutz-Davies, from BHASVIC, battled it out for silver, with Leah just hanging on to cross the line two seconds ahead of her rival.

The senior boys saw another first-timer take the crown, as Seaford College’s Harry Leleu claimed victory in 27 minutes and 33 seconds, just eight seconds ahead of another first-timer in Spencer Thomas, from Plumpton, with Felpham runner James Mckenzie finishing third in 28 minutes and 57 seconds.