Christy O’Hare, a 12-year-old student at Stokesley School and Sixth Form College, is celebrating after being crowned North Yorkshire’s Year 7 county cross country champion.
As if this wasn’t enough, Christy went on to race in the national cross country event at Loughborough, finishing third and taking the bronze in his year group.
Christy started running when he was at primary school and in the last year he has really progressed and developed a keen interest and passion for cross-country.
He is coached by his older brother Hugh, a Year 13 sixth form student, who has organised his training for the last 12 months.
Christy’s training schedule is demanding, running twice a week with Hugh, twice with Middlesbrough Athletics Club, as well as taking part in the Park Run each Saturday.
Christy is happiest running in the countryside and once each week he trains with Hugh at six-o-clock in the morning, his favourite route running up Roseberry Topping.
Hugh said: “Christy always trains with a smile on his face and we have some great conversations and time together when we are running.”
Christy is also a member of the school football team.
Darren Beattie, head of PE, said: “Christy has shown a high level of commitment at a very early age and this demonstrates his dedication and desire to succeed.
“I am really looking forward to watching Christy develop in the coming years and believe this is the first of many championships for him.”
Christy is now working towards his next major 1500m competitions in the summer and is also considering some road races.
He said: “Running is a time when I feel free and have no cares in the world.
“I would love to keep improving and am aiming for faster times and personal bests at the local park run and gaining some points for Middlesbrough Athletics Club on the track events this summer.”
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