Jay races to glory at Yorkshire Coast 10k

The 17-year-old former Caedmon School pupil only took up running 18 months ago, and this was his first time competing in the Scarborough event.

“I expected to do well, but winning the race came as a bit of a surprise,” Ferns told The Whitby Gazette.

“This was the first time I’ve entered the Scarborough 10k and I’m really pleased with how it went.”

The Loftus and Whitby Athletics Club runner finished in a time of 32 minutes 57 seconds, a healthy 18 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Bridlington’s Phill Taylor, the winner of last year’s race.

And despite his relative inexperience, Ferns is no stranger to success, having finished second in the Billingham 10k earlier this year, as well as coming 10th at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in 2014.

“I’ve done okay since I started competing, but I’d say my biggest achievement to date would be coming 10th at the English Schools Championships,” he added.

“Winning the Yorkshire Coast 10k is obviously something I’m very proud to have done as well though.”

Ferns says that he only took up running as a “way of keeping fit”, but is now so dedicated that he trains every day.

“I began running when I was still at school and decided to join Loftus and Whitby and I guess it has just come quite naturally to me,” he said.

“I really enjoy it and am out training every day.

“My next race will be the Leeds Abbey Dash, which is another event over 10k.

“After that I will be focusing on the qualifiers for the European Cross Country Championships in Liverpool at the end of this month.

“They will be really tough but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”