THE University of Bath was the destination for some of the best athletes in the south west of England and South Wales, where the Gwent Cross-Country League was being held alongside the county championships of Wiltshire, Somerset and Avon.

In the U11s race, James Gordon of Team Bath and clubmate Eleanor Webster proved to be the fastest in Wiltshire over the 1.9 kilometre course.

The U13 boys race saw Rory Howorth, of Team Bath, hold off a strong challenge from clubmate Hayden Bailey to take victory, while for the U13 girls, Abigail Burn of City of Salisbury was crowned county champion.

Will Stockley, of Team Bath, dominated the U15 boys event, taking victory from Will Crisp, of Swindon Harriers. For the girls, Caitlin Wosika, also of Team Bath, was a clear winner in the county race.

The U20 men's race saw a head to head between Alex Carter, of Team Bath, and Simon Nott, of Calne Running Club, with Winsley-based Carter taking victory by just six seconds.

In the U20 Ladies, Katherine Turner ensured Team Bath's dominance in the junior age groups.

The senior ladies race saw another Team Bath victory, with Holly Rush claiming her fourth senior cross-country title in five years, Georgie Starkie also of Team Bath finishing second.

However, it was the strong grouping of Jackie Rockliffe, Fiona Price, Jill Westwood and Diane Hier that allowed Avon Valley Runners to claim the county team title for the fourth time since 2009.

In the senior men's race, Michael Towler, of Avon Valley Runners, retained his county crown with a good performance over the 10.2 kilometre course.

Supported by Chris Roxburgh, Joby Hobbs, Tim Lowrie, Thomas Coney and Peter Veleski, he made it a team prize double for the Trowbridge-based club ahead of Chippenham Harriers.

MORE REPORTS, REACTION & PICTURES FROM SUNDAY'S RACES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES