Young athlete Lorenzo Moss making progress with Newbury AC after Green Park Challenge at Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading

Up and coming local athlete Lorenzo Moss was victorious in the Green Park Challenge in Reading last Sunday.

The 2.8km race is the Junior version of the Reading Half Marathon, taking place around the roads of Green Park before finishing inside of Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The race attracted some strong junior club runners and was fiercely contested in the early stages, with Ewan Shayler of Abingdon AC and Sam Weeks of Reading AC joining Lorenzo to break away at the front of the race.

In the closing 400m, Moss took the lead and finished in front of a supportive crowd to take the win in 8:57, twelve seconds ahead of second place.

13-year-old Lorenzo has recently joined Newbury Athletics Club, having previously been a member of Andover AC and has a 5km personal best of 16:39.

Since joining Newbury in February he has already represented Berkshire in the National Intercounties Cross Country Championships in Nottingham, finishing 9th overall while the U13 Berkshire team became national champions.

“The Green Park Challenge is my favourite race of the year,” said Moss.

“I’ve done it twice before and I love finishing inside the stadium.

“I was so happy to be able to break the tape this time.

“I’m looking forward to summer where I can hopefully improve my times on the road and see what I can do on the track”.

His Newbury teammate Michael Stone said:

“The way Lorenzo has dedicated himself to running is admirable, not only is he improving himself but he’s also inspiring others with his commitment.

“He’s not missed a training session since last summer when he was away on holiday, and it’s great that he’s getting the rewards for all his hard work. He’s got a very bright future.”