Golden wonder Withey scoops double (From Stroud News and Journal)

Golden wonder Withey scoops double

MATTHEW Withey brought the curtain down on his spectacular cross country season with a double gold show.

Withey, 14, scooped individual gold and team gold in the junior boys 4k at the UK Schools International Cross Country Championships at the Welsh Schools Athletics association in North Wales.

Withey's individual gold followed a head to head clash with Scotland's Matthew Gillespie on the final hill.

Withey said: "I knew that I had a good chance of winning but only if I produced a good run as Matthew has beaten me on the three previous occasions that I have raced him.

"I paced myself and put in the big effort in the final kilometre opening a six-second gap which I maintained to the finish.

"It hasn't sunk in yet that that I have become UK Champion as I only won my first national race last month and this is my first ever international win as I finished 17th last year."

Withey attributes his success to the support of his coach Derek Hough and colleagues at the Stroud Athletic Club, Marling School and his family, especially his training partner and older brother George who has also run at national level this season.

The Stroud runner would like to thank local firms James and Owen Stationers and Dairy Crest for their financial assistance this season.