CANVEY’S young star Jessica Judd sent out a message to her rivals at the English Cross-Country relays.

The 15-year-old was running her first race against national competition in the under 17 women’s age group.

After dominating the under 15s category nationally last season, Judd suspected she would not have it all her own way in her new age group.

This was predominantly down to the presence of 16-year-old Emilia Gorecka, from Aldershot and Farnham AC, who won all there was to win in the under 17 category last season.

But the early signs are positive after Judd ran the fastest leg in the national relays held in Mansfield. Starting her leg of the race in 10th place, the teenager cut through the field in imperious fashion to bring her team up to third.

More impressive still was her finishing time which was the fastest of the day, 15 seconds quicker than Gorecka, who still managed to ensure Aldershot and Farnham won the overall title.

“It was a really big surprise to beat Emilia,” said Jessica. “I was expecting her to go off really fast and I didn’t think I would get near her time. So to finish like I did was really pleasing.”

Though Jessica has won round one against Gorecka, she is not getting carried away with her prospects of beating her when they next go head to head.

“I was really happy,” she said. “I’m going to try for the rest of the season, but I’m not expecting much. Over the longer distances, she is really dominant.”

Jessica’s sister, Jodie, was also a bronze medallist, along with Rayleigh’s Millie Smith, who were running for Chelmsford in the under 13 girls event.

Like her older sister, Jodie brought her team home in third place after starting the first leg in fifth place.

Smith ran the first leg for Chelmsford, finishing in 12th place. The third member of the team was Rosa Prideux.

Jessica said: “It was a really nice journey home after the team won the two medals.”

Southend AC sent three squads to the event. In the girls’ under 15 race, Southend finished in 42nd place, courtesy of the combined efforts of Sarah Imbush, 66th in 8,18.9; Emma Jarvis, 51st with 8,07.25 and Chloe Williams 42nd with 8,06.85.

Two squads represented the seaside town in the under 15 boys race. The A team finished in 26th place. Josh Mann (7m 5.95s), Ben Franklin (7m06.5) and Steve Hancock (7m08.0), while the B team – came home in 42nd thanks to Joe Beard (7m18.2), James Nadin (7m27.2) and Joe Ray (6m59.3).

Southend’s under 17 men – Sam Brown (10.07.5), Richard Stennett (9.59.35) and Charlie Parker (10,24.5) finished 40th.