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Ripon runners to compete at national cross country championships

Tuesday, 10 February 2026 16:53

Natasha Pointon, 15, and Izzy Forsythe, 14 will represent North Yorkshire.

Two Ripon teenagers will represent North Yorkshire on the national stage after standout performances at a county cross country championships.

Students from Ripon Grammar School impressed at the North Yorkshire Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tadcaster, with two athletes securing qualification for the national finals.

Natasha Pointon, 15, finished second and Izzy Forsythe, 14, placed a close third in the inter girls race, earning selection to represent North Yorkshire at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in Liverpool in March.

The event brings together top runners from each of England’s 46 counties.

Three other RGS students also finished in the top 15 in their respective age groups at the championships, which attracted around 250 of the county’s strongest young athletes and featured a demanding course.

RGS Director of Sport Adam Milner said:

“All their hard work in training has paid off. They achieved fantastic results and can be rightly proud.”

Other RGS runners, all representing Harrogate and Craven, were Ollie Deavin (9th, senior boys), Bobbi Todd (12th, inter girls), Angus Millar (13th, inter boys) and Elizabeth Emmison (33rd, Year 7).

Mr Milner also praised teaching assistant and keen runner Suzanne Rickard, who runs the school’s running club, for her dedication to organising, supporting and motivating the athletes.

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