BASINGSTOKE runner Owen Richardson was relieved to finally return to top form at the Sainsbury’s School Games to take gold in the 400m.

More than 1,600 talented school children descended on Manchester to compete in 12 sports across four action- packed days.

Richardson, representing England South West, was one of the stars of the Games, clocking a time of 48.96 seconds to see off the challenge of Matthew Pagan and add to his English Schools title he won in July.

“It’s a relief to have picked up a medal and to have finally run well because I hadn’t been running too well for a while now,” said Richardson, who is part of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club.

“I think the atmosphere and competing at a big competition like the Sainsbury’s School Games has helped to make it all come together. All the home countries were there so it was great to be a part of.

“I went in hoping to win because I was ranked number one so there was a bit of pressure on me.

“I hadn’t been running anywhere near my PB for a while but then it came together here and I was just half a second off breaking it. To be running sub-49 this late on in the year is really good.

“Next year there are the World Youth Championships in Colombia so it would be great to get into the Great Britain team for that. That’s my main goal for next year. I’m only about three tenths off the qualifying time and that’s a doable feat in a year so hopefully I can be at my peak.”

The Sainsbury’s School Games is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Richardson was not the only athlete from the area to taste success in Manchester, with Brighton Hill Community School pupil Shelley Ludford claiming silver in the girls under 70kg judo.

“I’m slightly disappointed because in the first fight I touched my opponent’s leg which meant I got disqualified - it was a bad mistake but I should be able to correct it.

And it was brilliant to win a silver medal,” Ludford said.

“It’s been brilliant meeting athletes from other sports which is something we don’t normally get to do - and having an opening ceremony really brings a different atmosphere to the event.

“It’s quite tense with just having one mat and everyone watching you but I’ve enjoyed it.

“It’s been a learning experience and there’s a lot I can take from it.

“I’ve got a lot of training over the next few months before the British Championships – that’s what I’m really focusing on now.”

The Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, was held in venues across Manchester from September 4 to 7. Visit 2014schoolgames.com