An Ealing schoolgirl who recently won the Middlesex cross-country title has continued her strong season with a podium finish at a major national championships event.
Sophia Davies, 11, competing for Middlesex, came third in the under-13 girls’ 3km race at the UK CAU Inter Counties Cross Country Championships held at Wollaton Park.
Around 400 runners from across the UK took part in the race, with Sophia finishing inside the top 10.
The championships bring together about 4,000 athletes representing more than 45 county and regional teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sophia spent much of the race in second place but was narrowly overtaken in the final 50 metres by an older competitor to secure third place.
The event also doubled as the final of the UK Athletics Cross Challenge Series, where Sophia finished second overall across the season.
Sophia said: “As an under-year, this was my first time racing at Inter Counties so I didn’t quite know what to expect. It was a really tough race, but I’m proud that I stuck to my race plan. Standing on the podium next to two of the fastest endurance girls in the UK, who I really admire, was really special.”
She also helped the Middlesex under-13 girls’ team secure second place in the team event.
Sophia will next compete at the National Primary and Year 7 Cross Country Final in Kenilworth on 21 March 2026.
