A YOUNG Darlington athlete says her obsession with running has helped her gain some of the best GCSE results in the country.

Catherine Roberts, who attends Hummersknott Academy in Darlington, achieved eight grade 9s and one grade 8.

Catherine was among the stars of a strong performance at Hummersknott, which achieved a year-on-year pass rate improvement, despite the additional challenges of a new grading system being fully introduced.

A member of Darlington Harriers, Catherine runs cross-country and on the track for County Durham, and was ranked 10th in the country at 3,000 metres last year.

“I never stop running and I think that really helped me with my exams because it gives me time to think,” she said. “I just cried when I saw my results, it was such a relief.”

The only downside of scoring so highly across the board is that Catherine isn’t sure which path to take next. “In some ways, I was hoping the results would vary more so it would give me a clearer idea of what I should do, but getting so many 9s hasn’t really helped!”

Another Hummersknott pupil who has combined academic excellence with sporting prowess is tennis player David McBride, who served up seven of the top grade 9s.

David, who plays at a high level for Wellfield Tennis Club, said: “I didn’t expect my grades to be that good so I’m really happy.”

Talented footballer Chloe Ryan, who plays for Durham and has represented England Schoolgirls, was thrilled to have scored an A* in BTEC Physical Education, along with a strong set of passes in other subjects.

Five Hummersknott pupils gained three straight 9s in triple science – chemistry, physics and biology. They are Catherine Roberts, David McBride, Sarah Azam, Htet Wunna, and Nandana Bejoy.

Hummersknott principal James Keating said: “In the face of a lot of volatility and uncertainty over the changes to the grading system, the pupils took everything in their stride and we are incredibly proud of them.

“The results are also a credit to the staff, who adapted brilliantly to the changes and went the extra mile for their pupils, and to the parents and carers for their continued support.”