Maynard girl qualifies for National Cross Country finals

Amelia Moody from the Maynard School in Exeter looks all over to become the next Jo Pavey after taking an outstanding 6th place at her first ever South West Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Truro last Saturday.

Until recently, the 15-year old from Okehampton was unaware of her untapped talent and it was only when teachers urged her to enter into a local cross-country race earlier this year that her incredible gift came to the surface. Without any form of professional coaching, Amelia has consistently beaten trained club runners with much more experience and certainly looks to be one of Devon’s star athletes of the future.

“The heavens opened almost as soon as the races started and there was continual persistent heavy rain! So much so that, being new to cross country, we thought they were bound to stop the event,” said Amelia’s mother, Sarah. “Although the course was fairly flat there were lots of sharp inclines as well. The hardest part was overtaking as it was so narrow and Amelia had to work really hard to get past the others as they were tiring.”

In coming sixth out of the best 61 runners to have qualified throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Amelia has automatically secured her place at the Essa National Championships in Norwich next month.

“I felt very nervous on Saturday as the course looked so windy and complex and I knew it would decide whether or not I would go to the Nationals. I live and run on Dartmoor so I’m used to mud, but the mud on Saturday was extra slippery,” said Amelia.

“I had been running most evenings after school and it is a bit scary at times as I don’t really like the dark. I’m looking forward to the lighter evenings and I am very honoured to be going to the Nationals. For the next five weeks, I’m going to ensure that I put lots of effort in so that I get the best out of the experience.

“My school has been incredibly supportive of me and I am so grateful that they encouraged me to run that initial race in the first place! The problem is that as I get more experienced, so everyone’s expectations become greater – I just hope I don’t let them down.”