Mia Rasmussen, Sienna Carter, Keira Carter, Archie Barnett, Lachlan Rasmussen, Georgia Simm, Amelia Simm and Noah Hooley blitzed the Cowper cross-country titles at the end of last term  around the Calrossy grounds and are now off to take on the region at the Hunter Region Independent Schools carnival.

Most of the magnificent seven have already had some experience of Tamworth’s most famous track trainer, although the Carter girls, Sienna and Keira, only joined up this week to get some extra polish on their technique before the big day.

“It is a bit different to the sprint training I normally do,” Warner said.

“Although that explosive running still saw a few of my kids win by a couple of hundred metres at the school carnival.”

Warner retired at the end of last year  but couldn’t help himself, returning to give one last bunch of runners a head start heading into the school and representative carnival season, the Cowper team included.

The U10 runners will complete a 2km course at Coornabong today, while the 11 and 12-year-olds will do the 3km course, with all up for further selection and a place at the State Championships later in the year.

“There are some very good runners here,” Warner said.

“I think they will do really well.”