Chris follows in the strides of a legend

MEDAL winners . . . Great North Run junior winner Christopher Brown meets Steve Cram

A YOUNG Royton runner won a top junior race — and boosted his charity fundraising efforts.

Christopher Brown (11) ran the 3km Junior Great North Run in Newcastle in 14 minutes and 25 seconds at the weekend to leave the rest trailing, with the nearest competitor 14 seconds behind.

The St Paul’s School pupil was presented the trophy by legendary athlete and Olympic medal winner Steve Cram.

In May, Christopher, a member of Oldham and Royton Harriers came second in the Manchester BUPA fun run after outrunning 400 competitors.

He clocked up £390 for charity after running in the memory of family friend Alison Thorley, who died from cancer last year at the age of 49.

He ran again in memory of Alison at the weekend and has collected another £100 for the Royton and Shaw Committee of Cancer Research UK, of which his grandmother, Dorothy Gibbons, is a member.

Mum Deborah, a former runner herself and who now trains with the harriers, said: “We did not expect it as there are some good runners involved but he was brilliant. I’m really proud.”

The cross-country season starts on Saturday and Christopher will now take place in the South East Lancashire League, which he won last year although he will now be competing in a more difficult age category.