VALE Royal athletes pulled off another sensational set of results in the second round of the North Staffs Cross Country League.

Simon Ruscoe was the outstanding performer, winning the senior men's race, run over two and three-mile laps at Park Hall in Stoke.

The Winsford runner was in the leading group for the first half-mile and broke away to establish a 150-metre lead.

Despite having Dutch international Adri Hartfelt hot on his heels, Simon outstripped the 300-strong field to cross the line first.

Vale Royal AC coach Sean McGrath said: "This was a stunning result for Simon. It was his first cross-country win and he picked one of the toughest leagues in the country to do it in.

"He's 26 and never won a race while he was at school so it just shows what guts can do."

Other senior Vale Royal runners in the race were Kenneth Moss, John Kettle, Pete Maher, David Hanson, George Sankey, Paul Moyes and Bill Hodgkinson.

Two athletes competed in the senior women's race - Jane Campion and Joanne Wyke.

Other results from Vale Royal runners at Stoke were:

Under-11s girls: Julie Kinvig, 7th; Laurie Bossons, 10th; Sophie Kelland, 12th.

Under-13s girls: Sarah Drewery, 2nd; Becky Ellis, 3rd; Joanne Nugent, 8th; Hanna Rugen, 17th; winners of top team prize.

Under-15s girls: Kate Livesley, 3rd; Clare Simmons, 5th; Katie McGrath, 8th; Katie Brockley, 9th; winners of top team prize.

Under-17s girls: Karen Ellison, 2nd.

Under-15s boys: Adam Gear, 3rd; Rob Pemberton, 6th; Chris Williams, 12th; James Sloan, 17th.

Under-17s boys: George Thompson, 6th.

Sean added: "These results from our juniors, in one of the best leagues in the country, are outstanding, absolutely stunning. I've told them that even if they come in the top 10 that's brilliant because Stoke is a massive club."

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