A FLEET of foot Lytham teenager has been named champion of the Fylde Coast's oldest cross country race.

Chris Pickles, 18, stormed home recently to win King Edward VII and Queen Mary School's senior boys' cross country race -- which has been run every year since 1908.

Race favourite Andrew Jones retired after a fall, allowing England Under-15 cricket captain Jack Kelliher to show his talent and take silver, with Michael Kitchen in third place.

In a close finish in the Year Seven race, Michael Cooper pipped Chris Bird to the post, and in the junior girls' race Liz Hodgson led Daisy McWilliam-Grey and Stephanie Smith. More than 300 boys and girls braved driving rain and a northerly gale to run in ten races taking in Lytham beach and the sand dunes.

School principal Julian Wilde praised the good humour of the runners, despite the rough weather.

"Conditions were extremely tough but I saw a great deal of determination out there. I was pleased with the commitment of the runners," he said.

Pictured are (left to right): Jack Kelliher (2nd), Scott Newburn (4th), Chris Pickles (1st), Michael Kitchen (3rd) and Chris Fox (5th).