Success for local athletes

Island athlete Keith Gerrard produced an impressive performance to win a silver medal at the British Universities Cross Country Championships in Swansea on Saturday.

Gerrard (pictured), who was representing St. Mary’s University College, also helped St. Mary’s win the team trophy in the process.

After a cautious start, he and team-mate Andy Vernon began to stretch the field and Vernon managed to out-sprint Gerrard to narrowly take the title.

The pair will now be invited to represent British Universities at the World University Cross-Country Championships in Mauquenchy, France, on April 6.

There was also local success in the Merseyside Cross Country Championships with Sarah Astin winning the junior girls event and Hannah Scarlett claiming a fine third place.

Meanwhile, Sarah’s sister, Gemma Astin, was second in the inter-girls class.