Southend AC's Adam Hickey suffered a rare defeat when competing in the latest round of the Reebok Cross-Country Challenge in Cardiff.
Hickey, 15, was in action a day after triumphing in the Essex Schools Championships at Chelmsford's Hylands Park, having only recently returned to full training after suffering a wrist injury in a bike fall.
Even so, after winning Reebok races in Birming-ham, Margate and Belfast this term, the Southend High School boy was expected to triumph but lost out to Swindon Harrier David Bishop's finishing speed.
Bishop, who has been running since the age of 11, had not previously enjoyed a major cross-country success and was back in 59th spot in last March's English Schools' Championship.
But he did win the AAA indoor under-17 3,000m title last season and beat Hickey by five seconds in this latest effort in the under-17 men's competition with a time of 19 mins. 35 secs.
Published Friday January 23, 2004
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