Local Schools’ Cross Country Meet, Hervines Park - Saturday 27th January 2018

Eighteen schools participated in the 3rd local schools’ meet of the season with well over 630 individual competitors. Seventy children were selected for the Gateway squad with 52, running on the day.

As usual, there were 8 separate races, during the morning. The Year 3 and 4 children competed over 1350m and the 5 and 6s over a 1600m course. Conditions were muddy underfoot, especially in the wooded section of the course. As usual, hundreds of spectators lined the route to cheer on the children.

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
Kasper B was Gateway’s first runner home, finishing 3rd, his best position so far, in another large race of 110 children. Charlie B-M was 38th and Remy Finn also ran well finishing in 45th position.

For the second time the year 3 girl’s team was rather depleted with only 3 of the squad of 7 starting the race. Macey B finished 28th, Callie W finished 47th and Emilie T-G was 54th in her first race. (75 runners)

Year 4 Boys; (93 runners) Zach C made it an impressive 6th consecutive win in local schools events; in the same week he won the ISA event at Bedford. Ed S was 8th and Charlie DS finished 19th. These boys won Team Silver, narrowly missing out on Gold!

The Year 4 girls; (75 runners) Katie A also showed her class and improving ability, storming home in 1st place to the delight of Gateway supporters. Charlotte G, still recovering from a recent illness, was close behind in 8th position with Danica F and Darcey Y were close on her heels in 9th and 12th positions. This team was awarded Team Silver.

Kie W led home the Year 5 Gateway boys’ team in 16th position while Savva N and Noah B battled it out for 27th and 28th positions. (65 runners)

With several of the Year 5 girls unavailable to race, Beth T was pleased to win a 10th place medal. Josie R and Penelope L ran well to finish in 23rd and 24th respectively. These girls were awarded 4th place Team medals. (70 runners)

In the Year 6 competition, Will SC-B came 3rd, despite recent illness. George C finished strongly in 6th with Will S in 18th position. The boys gained Team Silver, missing out on Gold by just one point! (72 runners)

In the Year 6 girls’ race, Marea L, (2nd), Penny D (6th) and Savarnah P (9th), all claimed individual medals and achieved the best team score of the day, with just 17 points (the lower the better!) but this still wasn’t enough to win Team Gold medal, so had to be content with Silver!

As usual, well done to all the children who gave up their Saturday morning to run for the school; we always value their tremendous effort and determination. Thanks also to Gateway supporters who turned up in cold and drizzling conditions to cheer on the children and helped to create a great atmosphere . (63 runners)

Details of the the Buck Championships for Year 5 and 6 will follow shortly, with team selection being made next week. This event takes place on the 7th February at Caldicott School, Wing; with the children travelling by mini-bus, during school time to compete.

The last local schools’ event will take place at Gayhurst School, 10th March 2018. Further details will be emailed out nearer the time. HJ/KS/LR/AS