Bucks Schools Cross Country Championships - Wednesday 7 February 2018

A squad of 12 Gateway runners competed at this event on a bitterly cold morning at Cottesloe School, Wing. The course for Year 5 and 6 was set at 1700m over hilly farmland and countryside. Luckily the sun emerged to give a little warmth to the runners.

The children coped well with the challenging course and conditions; most of the ground was just about soft enough to take a stud or spike but there were occasional areas of permafrost and tundra to cope with. All the runners agreed it was the most difficult run so far this season.

Year 5 and 6 Girls results

Yr 6 result Marea L 3rd (7.28), Penny D 11th (8.19), Savarnah P 22nd, (9.02)
Yr 5 result 17th Beth T (9.04, 18th Josie R (9.05)
Yr 4 non scorers Katie A, 2nd (Y4 non-scorer) 8.27
This team was placed in Bronze place (They would have won Silver had Katie A’s time been allowed).

Yr 6 result Will SC-B 3rd (6.48), George C 10th, (7.08) Will S 16th (7.36) , Hugh P 43rd (8.14)
Yr 5 result Kie 24th, (8.06)
Yr 4 Zach C (Y4 non-scorer) 20th overall, 8th in the Year 5 race (7.27)….. Zach was the only Yr 4 boy running

This team were placed in Silver position and would have won the event if Zach’s time had been counted.

This was another great team performance with Zach and Katie picking up invaluable experience for next year's championships, even though they were not allowed to score points for the team this year. Despite the conditions, once the children had recovered from the run and cold, they all agreed it had been great ‘fun’! Thanks to all the parents who turned out to support the squad, again.

Congratulations to Marea L, Will St C-B, and George C who all qualified for the National Finals at Loughborough 24.3.18 where they will represent Buckinghamshire. Penny D is 1st reserve for the girls’ team and may have qualified automatically, had she run in her own boots! HJ