Hervines Park: Local Schools’ Cross Country Meet, Saturday 28 January 2017

Sixteen schools took part in the second local schools’ meet with 544 individual competitors. Sixty-five runners were selected tor Gateway with 56 available on the day.

There were 8 separate races, during the morning. The Year 3 and 4 children competed over 1200m and the 5 and 6s over a 1500m course. Conditions were surprisingly good, considering the hard frost that had led to so many sporting cancellations recently. A cold, muddy course looped round Hervines Park, heading into neighbouring woodland before emerging uphill to the finish. The event was well attended by spectators who helped to cheer on the runners creating an exciting atmosphere, as usual.

Medals were awarded to the top ten finishers in each race. Team positions are calculated by adding the scores of the top three runners from each school with medals being awarded to the first four schools.

(Year 3 Boys; 97 runners), Race starts were fast and frantic but Zach C paced himself superbly, to record back to back wins, a huge achievement. Ed S continues to improve coming in 15th with Charlie DS close behind in 17th. These boys were awarded 3rd place team medals.

The Year 3 girls ran strongly with Katie A and Charlotte G battling it out with several other runners, over the final 100m. Katie grabbed 3rd place and Charlotte was just pipped to the line, coming 5th. Danica F recovered some of her old form to come 22nd. There were 75 competitors in this race and the Gateway runners were pleased to win 2nd place team medals.

The Year 4 boys (69 runners) were fired up to improve on past performances. Kie W ran well, despite a niggling ankle injury, to come 17th. Daniel M was not far behind in 19th. Will S was the next Gateway runner home in 45th.

In the girls race, Josie R narrowly missed out on an individual medal place, coming 11th, Beth T was 19th and Penelope L, Olivia Pk and Olivia P all finished closely but it was Olivia Pk who edged it, coming 27th. This team were awarded 3rd place medals. (69 runners)

In the Year 5 competition, George C recorded one of his best performances, coming 3rd, Aidan D was 39th and Hugh P put in a solid performance to come 40th (76 runners)

In the Year 5 girls’ race Marea L, who had been advised not to run due to her injured big toe, put in an amazing effort to come 2nd. Penny D also ran well to come 14th and Savarnah P continues to show improvement, securing 20th place. This team also won bronze place medals. (59 runners)

In Year 6, Oakley D secured his 4th consecutive Gold medal, leading from start to finish despite tripping over and being hotly pursued by a posse of Beacon runners, Ollie L was 7th and Harry N finished strongly to come 12th; this trio secured the 2nd place team medals (64 runners)

In the last race of the day, (Year 6 girls) with the sun shining brightly, Jemma T powered home in 5th, pursued by Lucy A 7th and Abi H in 20th. This team were placed 3rd to round off another great day’s running

Well done to all the children who ran for the school; it was great to witness the sheer effort and determination from all of our squad.

The next competition will be held at Lowndes Park, Amersham, March 4th (with the same start times and race order) this is also the date of the National ISA XC finals, which we hope to have some runners representing London North, if they qualify on the 9th Feb at Bedford. Please keep an eye on the Sports Notice Board for team selection and race information.. Selected runners will all receive an emai notification. HJ