WILL BATTERSHILL claimed a top 10 finish and ran a new personal best at the high-class Podium 5k Festival at Leicester.

The former Ivybridge Community College pupil clocked 13.38 minutes to finish ninth in the elite men’s race, which was won by Kenyan Daniel Kimaiyo in 13.27 minutes.

Steeplechase specialist Battershill did beat fellow Great Britain internationals Andy Butchart and Mark Pearce, who came 10th and 11th.

Slightly closer to home, Erme Valley Harriers’ Ronnie Haynes finished third and first M40 at the Falmouth Half Marathon on Sunday , with Tamar Trotters’ Anthony Worthington finishing second M55.

The week before, Tamar Trotters’ Bex Ezra-Ham had finished third woman at the Bideford Half Marathon in 1:17.50, with Tavistock AC’s Nikki Kelly eighth in 1:22.12.

There were age group category prizes at Bideford for Tavistock AC’s Jenny Jeeves (1st, F55), Sam Larkham (3rd, M40) and Hannah Worth (3rd, F40), as well as City of Plymouth’s David Robinson (3rd, M50).

Meanwhile, there was an impressive run by Tavistock AC and Mount Kelly youngster Freddie Whybrow at the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships in West Sussex at the weekend. Whybrow finished 17th at first Devon athlete in a strong junior boys’ race.

Devon just missed out on a team prize in the intermediate boys’ race, finishing fourth overall. Erme Valley Harriers’ and Ivybridge Community College’s Luke Hayes finished 45th in that race and was third Devon athlete. Devon did have five runners come in the top 75 in that event, including Rory Barclay-Watts who came third.

Tor Bridge’s Finley Eales, Mount Kelly’s Luke Scott-Tucker, Devonport High School for Girls’ Elsie Goodspeed and Lara Dix, Plymouth High School’s Molly Gilbey, Plymouth College’s Phoebe Timson and Emily Weeks and Ivybridge’s Bella May also represented Devon at the prestigious event, while City of Plymouth’s Holly Reid and Taylon Jones were among those who represented Cornwall.