Grace in the medals at top events

The 17-year-old Bexhill College student bagged a bronze at the South of England Cross-Country Championships, and a week later scooped individual silver and led Aldershot, Farnham & District AC’s under-17 women’s squad to team gold at the National Championships.

In the latter event at a snowy and boggy Sunderland, Baker had sweet revenge on Alex Clay, who beat her the previous week, and was only four seconds and closing on the eventual winner, world under-20 mountain running champion Annabel Mason.

This was possibly the best run in her short career from the Pett-based youngster, who does most of her training with Hastings Athletic Club, and sets her up well for the forthcoming trials for the Great Britain under-20 women’s team for the World Championships in Poland during March.

See Friday’s Observers for the full article.