FAST PACE: A strong start put Botany Downs Secondary College distance runner Scott Russell (No 78) in a good position at the national cross country champs. Photo supplied.

The hard and fast ground at Saxton Field in Nelson was ideal for the 17-year-old Botany Downs Secondary College student.

Russell’s time of 19 minutes 3 seconds over the 6km mainly flat course was a personal best.

Pakuranga Athletic Club coach David Drummond says Russell used his track speed to advantage at the start and put himself in an ideal position with the first five runners in a field of 210.

“At the halfway mark he was fourth and shortly after moved into third, which he held to the finish for a well deserved bronze medal,” says Drummond.

“Many were surprised to see Scott run so well, after his ninth place finish in the recent Auckland Secondary Schools Cross Country Champs held at Saint Kentigern College.”

The winner in 18min 36sec was the favourite Aaron Pulford of Hauraki Plains College, who even asked Russell who he was. Mohamed Ali from Fairfield College finished second in 18min 52sec.

“New Zealand secondary school cross country medals are probably considered the toughest to win in NZ distance running events. Many of our top senior athletes have not achieved this,” says Drummond.

“Scott is now starting to reap the rewards from the training he has achieved over the past five years.”

It’s his second national championship medal after claiming a bronze medal in the men’s 16 1500m in Wellington earlier this year. He’s expected to be a top contender for the senior boys 1500m title at the national secondary schools track champs at Timaru in December.

Russell says he hoped to place in the top 20 at Nelson and knew he had to make a strong start.

“The hill, which was the only one on the course, was a shock, because it was flat the whole way and then it was like running into a wall,” says Russell.

He was surprised and happy that he’d held onto third place until the finish.