Newark Athletic club runner Maisie Mullett shines at the national cross country championships

The cross country season reached a dramatic climax for one Newark runner as the National Primary and Year Seven Championships returned.

Competing at Market Harborough, the finale saw England’s top school athletes compete for the national title.

The race proved to be a fitting end to a strong season for Newark Athletic Club’s Maisie Mullett, 11, who represented Nottinghamshire.

Mullett put in the performance of her life to finish in third place and take the national bronze medal with an impressive time of 09-45 over the 2.7k course, making her the third fastest year six girl in England.

Mullett also recorded the highest position Nottinghamshire had reached in recent events.

The podium finish takes Mullett’s medal haul for the cross country season to four after taking gold in the Mini League, County Championships and The Nottinghamshire Schools League.

Also representing Nottinghamshire Schools were Isla Picker, 10, who finished 97th in 11-31, and Lucy Beardsmor, 11, who was 102nd overall in 11-35.

In the boy’s race, Nottinghamshire’s best chance came from Edward Macintyre, 11.

Macintyre was looking to add to his County Championship silver and Mini League and School’s League bronze medals.

Sadly, it was not to be for Macintyre, who had to battle from the back of the field after a tricky start.

In a close race, where just 30 seconds separated the first 60 finishers, Macintyre finished in 54th place with a time of 9-57.

Newark’s Ruben Shivas, 11, finished in 97th place in a time of 10-22.