Runners from Monmouth School Boys’ Prep have made an excellent start to the new Gwent Cross-Country League season.

Harry D (pictured, left) was in sparkling form at Llandaff Fields in Cardiff, finishing third – out of 118 starters – in the novice boys’ race.

Harry crossed the finishing line in 4:48, just nine seconds behind the eventual winner, to take his well-deserved place on the podium.

In collecting 116 points, Harry also helped Monmouth School Boys’ Prep’s A team to an impressive fifth place overall in the team event.

The school were delighted to field three other teams; the B team finished 13th, the C team were 22nd and the D team 37th.

Fellow pupils Seb, Frankie, John and Jacob also flourished in the challenging conditions to finish inside the top 50.

Seb clocked a time of 5:21 to finish 38th; Frankie was 43rd in 5:23; John was just one place behind, in 44th, with 5:24; and Jacob finished 49th in 5:26.

Tom K (5:31), Tom C (5:37), Harry G (5:40), Ben (5:44), George (6:04), Harri (6:06), Edward (6:18), and Gabriel (6:23) also represented the school with pride in the first fixture of the campaign.

“The boys were a real credit to Monmouth School Boys’ Prep and themselves,” said Mr Alex Dawes, who manages the cross-country team.

The Monmouth School Boys’ Prep athletes are now preparing for the third annual Welsh Cross Country Relay Championships at Monmouthshire Showground on Saturday 4th November.

The Monmouth boys won the under-11 boys title at the same venue 12 months ago and will be aiming to defend their prestigious crown.

The second event in the five-race Gwent Cross-Country League series is being held at Brecon on Saturday 11th November.