ATHLETES from across the Isle of Wight put their best foot forward in the third round of the Hampshire Cross-Country League in Aldershot.

Very strong competition from athletes across the South made achieving a good result a tough ask.

But three Islanders made the top ten in their events, which included a great win for Scott Fossa, who runs for Southampton Athletic Club (SAC), in the U11 boys’ race.

Jasper Jenkinson, of the Isle of Wight Triathlon Club (IWTC) came 30th.

Around a thousand runners negotiated a mixed course of fields and woods.

One of the highlights of the day for the Island was a battle over 6km, with the Isle of Wight Athletic Club’s Campbell Laird getting third place, followed by clubmates Niall Powell (28th), Max Collins (30th) and Dylan Holdsworth (35th).

Freya Taylor, of the Isle of Wight Athletic Club (IWAC), completed the U13 girls’ race, finishing in 30th, while club-mate, Archie Pearson, came ninth in the corresponding boys’ event.

In the same race were IWAC athletes Finn McMahon (39th) and James Heng (47th), followed by Jasper Evans, of the Isle of Wight Triathlon Club, who came 57th.

In the U15 girls’ race, Scott’s sister, Robyn (SAC), came a creditable third for Southampton.

Following the teenager were four IWAC runners — Maisie Kent (19th), Naomi Holdsworth (22nd), Lily Barclay (27th) and Evie Taylor (46th).

In the corresponding boys’ race were IWAC athletes Noah Patey (43rd) and Jackson Hill (63rd), alongside a team from IWTC, that comprised Gethin Hepworth (51st), Benjamin Van Der Helstraete (61st) and Josh Sunnucks (65th).

In the U17 girls race, Mabel Lewis (12th) and Milly Bacon (23rd) ran for IWAC, alongside Kaitlin Wilson (25th) for IWTC.

In the senior race, Ryde Harriers entered Milly’s mum, Justine Bacon, the only woman, who came a decent 107th (41st veteran).

Trevor McAlistair came 150th, Steve Haggerty (IWAC) was 154th, followed by Ryde Harriers Ken Oatley 206th, Graham Gardener 212th and Ken Beak 236th.