By Steve Bosley

Katy Ann McDonald of Herne Hill Harriers produced the best performance of her career finishing a close second in the McCains UK Cross Challenge in Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Running against some of the best girls in the country, including the unbeaten Khahisa Mhlanga from Chelmsford who topped the 2012 UK 1,500m rankings, Katy Ann broke away and duelled with Khahisa throughout the 3,000m distance.

The youngster held the lead coming into the home straight and in a pulsating final sprint to the line was just pipped by two seconds.

Katy Ann leads this prestigious series after two races, which featured the top distance youngsters in the UK running at selected events throughout the winter.

The club’s youngsters continued their successful indoor sportshall season with more than 40 athletes travelling to Guildford.

The U15 boys team of Jermaine Graham, Anthony Ahatty, Christopher Sinclair, Ismail Karim and Kyler Drameh all won their events. 

Michella Obijiaku was the leading U15 girl winning the shot and two-lap race, and among the U13 age group new member Ora Adamson won the standing long jump and was second in the shot.