UFFCULME’S Finley McClear led the Devon challenge in the intermediate boys race at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in Blackburn on Saturday, finishing 48th.

In the senior boys race Blundell’s Jake Smith came home in 82nd place.

The seriously tough course featured a half mile climb through the hair pin bends of a farm track, taking athletes 100m in height to a summit of screaming parents and coaches.