A talented runner from The Manchester Grammar School has secured a place in the National Cross Country Championships.

Alex James, 12, from Cheadle, Stockport, was second in Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships at Woodbank Park, finishing the 3.5km course in 13.03 minutes.

His performance means he has now qualified for the National Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships to be held in Loughborough in March.

Alex’s team, the Sale Harriers, also finished third overall in the under-13s category of the Greater Manchester Championships, making it a double medal haul for Alex.

He said: “There were teams taking part from all over Greater Manchester, so I felt really proud to finish in second place.

“The race was very muddy and hilly and I was very tired at the end, but I’m really excited about competing in the National Inter-Counties competition. I was also really happy that the Sale Harriers team won the bronze medal.”

Alex is a key member of The Manchester Grammar School Harriers, the school’s cross-country team.

He added: “I started running at a young age and loved it from the start.

“I then joined Sale Harriers a few years ago and I’ve been training hard with them ever since.

“One of the reasons I wanted to go to MGS was because of the MGS Harriers and I’ve enjoyed running in races for the School.”