BEN Keeley stretched out to a fine victory in the Cheshire Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

The High Legh athlete was first home in the under 13s boys’ race at The Farm Club in Pickmere, backing up his title success at under 11s level in 2020.

As a result of this win, the Lymm High School student will go on to represent Cheshire in the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in Loughborough in March.

Exceptionally muddy terrain and torrential rain, along with periods of hail and wind, greeted the runners across the age groups for the annual county event but Ben adapted to the conditions brilliantly to defeat his 29 rivals over the 2.4k distance which included a punishing steep hill towards the finish.

Ben, who trains under coach Richard Goddard with Trafford Athletics Club, won the under 13s boys’ race in 9 minutes 23 seconds.

He was followed in by Arthur Elliott, representing City of Stoke, and Liam O’Brien from Sale Harriers who both clocked 9 minutes 30 seconds.

Behind them were Leigh Harriers ‘ Thomas Amaral and Wirral AC’s Ben Pold.

His clubmate Finley Proffitt won the under 20s men’s race.