It would be fair to say it was a cold and fairly bleak morning as our cross country team made the journey to Donard Park, Newcastle, for the second round of the Flahavan's Cross Country League. The temperature was significantly cooler than the previous round and it was most unusual course that greeted our runners as we arrived- the entire race being held around 1 football pitch! This meant that children would run 2 and 3/4 laps of the circuit to complete the 1km race distance. If that wasn't unusual enough, the nature of the course meant that the field would split and there would be 2 separate girls races followed by 2 separate boys races! We can only assume that, with finals positions up for grabs, the runners' times will then determine their final finishing positions when the results are combined.
In the girls race, our 6 competing runners toed the line not disheartened by the cold weather. Our early morning weekend sessions have seen us training in all conditions and on all terrains so it was business as usual for our intrepid girls. Quickly at the front, Sofia appeared just on the fringes of the top 10. Behind her, Charlotte and Lily M were very well packed on the finges of the top 20 and 30 respectively, both girls having great runs. Logan was running her typically well-paced effort, eating up the ground and cutting through the pack with every stride as the race progressed. Our final two runners, Faye and Ella, were encouraging each other on the way round, taking turns to pass one another. Entering the final half lap, Sofia completed the course as the first Castle Gardens runner, looking to just about be inside the top 20- a cracking run from a P5 pupil! Behind her, Charlotte held strong and looked to be just inside the top 30 with Lily M charging home in what looked again like a personal best performance inside the top 40. Logan continued picking up further places all the way to the line with a fantastic late charge that saw her nip past two further girls on the final 100m. Meanwhile Ella, despite visibly suffering with cramp and from cold, gave her all to chase Faye all the way home and round up a great morning's work from the girls team. Well done to all our girls.
As the whistle sounded in the boys race, it was no surprise to find Lukas close to the front, moving well and looking very comfortable. Behind him, Zak had made an excellent start and looked to be just inside the top 20 with Danny closely behind. Slightly further back, Logan, Jaiden and Joel were locked in a three way tussle that was to continue for the vast majority of the race, the boys taking it in turns to push the pace and challenge each other. On the final lap of the race, Lukas was sitting in 8th position, tantalisingly close to 5th place but with a large group of about 6 runners very close behind. Danny had moved through the field superbly well and was now just ahead of Zac who was showing greate determination to be our second runner across the line. Logan, meanwhile, had just broken away from Jaiden and Joel who were straining to get back on level terms as the entered the final 200m of the race. Finishing under the inflatable banner, Lukas held strong for yet another top ten finish with Zac having enough strength to fight back and pass Danny before the finish- the boys looking to both be in the top 30 places. Logan produced an spirited finish, grabbing a further place right on the line under the banner as Jaiden put a small amount of daylight between himself and Joel to claim our 5th runner spot. Well done to all our boys racing in the very cold weather.
Our thanks are extended to our families who made the long trip to Newcastle and back in support of their children and school. We cannot say loudly enough how proud we are of how our children conduct themselves on these occasions, how pleased we are with the brilliant effort they always make, and how grateful we are for the parental support. Thank you and well done to everyone.
RESULTS:
Girls 1Km race
18th Sofia B
29th Charlotte K
38th Lily M
48th Logan R
66th Faye F
70th Ella D
Boys 1Km Race:
8th Lukas K
28th Zac B
30th Danny W
56th Logan A
58th Jaiden P
59th Joel B
Menu
