Like father, like run

A LONGSANDS College student is preparing to follow in his father s footsteps when he takes part in a national cross-country event this weekend. Matthew Nicholson, 13, pictured, is preparing to travel to Merseyside to take part in the English Schools Cross

A LONGSANDS College student is preparing to follow in his father's footsteps when he takes part in a national cross-country event this weekend.

Matthew Nicholson, 13, pictured, is preparing to travel to Merseyside to take part in the English Schools Cross-Country Championships.

Matthew, who only started running in September, will be the first boy to represent Longsands at the event for many years.

However, one of the previous representatives from the school was Matthew's dad Stephen, who raced in the event exactly 35 years ago.

Stephen told The Hunts Post: "We are extremely proud of Matthew and it is a strange co-incidence that he will be running in the same race I did so many years ago."

Matthew, who runs for Huntingdonshire Athletics Club, will be one of eight athletes representing Cambridgeshire at the event.

Stephen added: "He only started running by chance when he joined in a training session and before he knew it he was selected for the team."

As well as running, Matthew plays cricket for Eaton Socon, football for Priory Parkside and has represented his school in a wide variety of sports.

The Schools Cross-Country Championships are run over a 3.7-kilometre course at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Matthew took part in the final Frostbite Friendly League race of the season on Saturday, finishing 14th in the junior event.