It is a popular endurance race that tests the determination of young Scouts.

And the perseverance of more than 20 runners was pushed to the limit recently as they faced a challenging course as part of the Lowestoft and District Scouts cross-country competition.

This year 22 scouts battled it out on a muddy cross-country course, where conditions underfoot were 'really testing.'

The plucky runners, representing Scout groups from across the Lowestoft District, all however showed their determination as they completed the challenging course in bitterly cold conditions.

The race, held at the Scouts campsite at Herringfleet on the Somerleyton estate, set the 22 runners the task of completing either a 2km or 3km course depending on their ages.

Organiser, District Explorer Scout Commissioner Lawrence Chapman, described conditions underfoot as 'really testing,' adding that the course had been re-routed this year but still included uneven ground, mud and an exhausting uphill section

He said that he was pleased with the turnout and praised the runners' efforts in tackling the course – particularly on such a cold morning.

The individual winner in the under 12s (2km) race was Isaac Springford from 14th Lowestoft, runner-up was Joel Garrod of 1st Oulton Broad and in third place was Joe Webster of 2nd Carlton Colville.

Andrew Cross, of 14th Lowestoft, was first home in the under 14s (3km) race followed by Jack Rayment of 1st Blundeston and Ollie Connelly of 14th Lowestoft

As last year, it was a clean sweep for the 14th Lowestoft group as they took the team prizes for getting the first three runners of their group over the line in both the under 12s and under 14s age categories.

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