THE Chase high school pupil Tom MacKenzie burst into the big time at the weekend when he took the gold medal at the British Schools Score Orienteering Championships at Shipley Park, Derbyshire.

Tom, a year 8 pupil of Somers Road, Malvern Link, ran a superbly-timed race in this, perhaps the most difficult of all orienteering disciplines.

Competitors not only have to select their own course around a large number of control points, but also finely judge their run to be within a certain time limit.

The Year 8 boys' class was one of the biggest at the championship, which drew competitors from all over Britain.

Other runners from The Chase on Saturday were Rosemary Hartmann, sixth in Year 8 girls and Daniel Hartmann fourth in year 12/13 boys, losing out on a medal by just six seconds.

Anyone who would like to try this adventure sport has the perfect opportunity this weekend when an introductory event will be held at British Camp tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

Full details at www.mado. org.uk or on 01684 577062.