Frisby teenager celebrates national cross country bronze medal

Hugely talented Mari Smith warmed up for her first global cross country meet later this month by winning a brilliant bronze at the National Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

The Frisby 19-year-old, who will be in the Great Britain squad for the World University Cross Country Championships on March 12, ran superbly to make the top three at the nationals, which were held at Donington Park.

The sparkling performance in the junior women category continued her magnificent winter season, which has also seen her win silver with the British team at the European Junior Cross Country Championships in France in December.

Mari won bronze at the nationals in a highly competitive Under 20 Women’s race.

The event was won by Mari’s fellow GB junior team mate and European junior cross country silver medallist, Harriet Knowles Jones, with England Under 20 cross country international Gemma Holloway finishing in second place.

Harriett set a fierce pace on a tough course, taking Gemma and Mari with her but opening up a lead on them.

Mari began to close on Gemma on the second lap but could not quite catch her.

But it was another great run by Mari in the lead-up to that world students cross country this month.