VETERAN runner Mike McDowell claimed first place for his age group in the Gloucestershire Short Course Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Super vet athlete McDowell, from Cam Green, claimed his age group championship in difficult conditions at the county meeting.

The Severn Athletic Club star, a few days short of his 77th birthday, ran the 4km (two and a half miles) slippery and muddy course in continuous rain in 27m 30s.

He races up to seven miles regularly and although often last in small regional races, regularly beats up to ten per cent of the field in larger races.