DEN SPECK came up against Olympic bronze medallist Jonny Brownlee on his first outing for City of York Athletic Club in the Yorkshire Cross Country Championship at Lightwater Valley.

A creditable time of 33 minutes saw him home in 43rd place in the men’s 10k race.

He was backed up by team-mates Andy Normandale, Paul Goble, Mike Reynes, Martin Kirby and Mike Schofield in a performance which saw them finish 18th overall.

Emma Willits was York’s sole representative in the senior women’s race. Making light work of tough conditions, she came home in 53rd position.

York had eight runners qualify for the CAU Inter County Cross Country Championships in Birmingham that also doubles up as the World Cross Country trials for the junior and senior athletes.