Orion Harriers’ young runners were out in force last weekend at the Essex Cross-Country Championships in Hadleigh.

Natalie Kipps led the way. She produced an incredible run for a bronze medal, the first senior medal ever won by Orion at top country level.

Daniel Penfold showed determination to win the silver medal in the under-20 men’s race.

Adam Essam also excelled in racing home in 15th place in that race.

Orion got its best-ever results at the event, thanks in part to strong runs by the juniors.

In the U13 girls’ team event, the silver medal was won against a number of other highly-regarded clubs.

The U13 boys also tasted glory with a bronze medal, an achievement matched by the U15 boys.

In the individual events, Evangeline Foster finished in seventh place in the U13 girls.

In the same race, Madeline Carr was 12th, Kate Inch was 15th, Sophie Grant was 19th and Melissa Cleary 41st.

For the U13s boys, there were strong runs by Daniel Richards in sixth, George Day was 12th, Ben Pattison was 23rd and Teddy Johnson was 26th.