Colyton student becomes UK’s ninth top orienteer

Harry McMurtrie, a year 11 Colyton Grammar School pupil, took part in the British Sprint Championships in London and the British Middle Distance Championships at Leith Hill in Surrey.

A Colyton student has become the UK’s ninth top orienteer after two prestigious competitions.

Harry McMurtrie, a year 11 Colyton Grammar School pupil, took part in the British Sprint Championships in London and the British Middle Distance Championships at Leith Hill in Surrey.

The 16-year-old, from Payhembury, ran a gruelling 3.4km over a mixed terrain, qualifying for the finals, before going up against 18 others in a 4.6km course for the middle distance competition, finishing seventh.

Harry said it was an ‘amazing experience’.