BEN West confirmed his promise with an excellent runner-up position in the second round of the Chiltern Cross Country League at Milton Keynes.

The Bicester AC youngster – in his first year of the under 17 age group – faced competitors from all over the country.

West was 20th in the open under 17 race. But he finished second in the Chiltern League contest, clocking 19mins 53secs, just four seconds off the winning time.

West has already opened up a lead in the Division 2 standings after two events.

Clubmate Max Nicolle produced a personal best effort in the under 15 race.

Nicolle improved 17 positions on his first-round round ace, clocking 16.04 to secure second spot in the Division 2 contest.

Freddie Taylor gained a top-half finish in the under 13 boy’s race (48th out of 97 in 10.41).

He was seventh in Division 2, with clubmate James Rendell 14th in 11.52.

Tom Gould clocked 39.51 to come 249th out of 448 finishers in the open senior men’s race, won by Great Britain international Andy Vernon.

Gould placing 48th out of the 134 in Division 2.

Imogen Cox came 23rd in the under 11 girls race with 7.40, with Bicester’s Alanna O’Neill 56th in 8.39.

Amy Gould led Bicester home in the under 15 race in 59th (15.18), giving her 14th in Division 2.