A TALENTED sprinter flew out of the blocks with his studies after securing top grades in his GCSEs.

Richmond School boy Adam Walker will represent the North-East in the UK School Games later this month at 400m.

He recently competed in the English Schools Athletics Championships flying the flag for North Yorkshire and his personal best of 51.6 seconds places him in the top 40 with more to come.

The 16-year-old member of Richmond and Zetland Harriers took up running when he was just 11 and is developing into one of the country’s best sprinters.

His GCSE results of A*, five As and four Bs will see him stay on at Richmond School and Sixth Form College to study A Levels in maths, business, PE and psychology.

“I’ve always enjoyed running but the London and Rio Olympics have really inspired me particularly when you see Yorkshire and North-East athletes doing so well,” he said.

“I’m looking to study some sort of sports-related degree and will continue working hard on my running to see how far I can go.”

Headmaster Ian Robertson said: “It is clear that Adam commits, whether that it is to his sport or his studies. We are delighted he has done so well and thrilled that we will be able to see him develop further in our sixth form both academically and on the track.”