MGardner

Last updated 01:00, Wednesday, 13 June 2007

By Patrick Hill

TEENAGE track star Tom Farrell crowned a historic double at the Cumbria Schools Track and Field Championship - just a week after becoming the youngest ever Border Harriers debutant.

Tom made history when he became the Harriers youngest ever track debutant at the age of just 16 years and two months recently.

He made his first senior start in the club’s National Division One match at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Picketts Lock, London.

The junior, who is now ranked number four in the UK, followed up the Sheepmount on Saturday with a brilliant run in the 1500 metres.

Tom, who is sitting his GCSE exams, recorded a time of 4.05.07 - a new Championship best.

“It was great,” said the youngster.

He is now targeting gold at next month’s English Schools Championship at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

“I’m aiming to peak there because I’m looking at a medal.”

Farrell’s dad David is a long-time Border Harriers stalwart who raced with the likes of Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett.

Ellenborough AC ace Laura Park, who won the British Isles schools cross country title in Dublin earlier this year, was again in top form as she twice cruised to victory.

Park, 15, recorded a Championship best in the intermediate girls’ 3000m event and also won the intermediate girls’ 1500 metres.

Seaton AC sprinter Kerry Hunton, 16, recorded a championship best in the 300m race with a time of 41.02.

The Workington athlete also competes in the long jump and the 200 metres.

Becky Rudkin set a new Championship best by winning the senior girls hammer throw, while Sedburgh ace Sam Coe won the senior boys hammer throw.

Richard Byers, 16, won the senior high-jump event, while Carlisle javelin ace Rachel Fleary won the senior girls class with a throw of just under 40 metres.

n Full results in The Cumberland News on Friday