Wycombe Phoenix Schools’ Cross Country, Hughenden Valley, Saturday 1st October

Fifteen primary schools participated in the 13th Wycombe Phoenix Schools’ Cross Country event.
The under 10’s course took the children round a challenging 1500m circuit just a day after the children had competed in their own House cross country competition. Y6 children had an extra 500m loop with an even steeper hill at the mile mark. Rain showers took the edge off what were otherwise very good conditions. All runners had to cross the stream twice on their circuit.

Year 5 Boys (70 runners) 1500m
George C, 5th (7.24), Aidan D, 12thth (7.45)*, Ashton Owen 21st (7.55). These boys were placed 3rd*
Hugh P 38th (8.24), Kie W (Yr 4) 44th (8.33), Henry G, 45th (8.35)
Daniel M (Y4) 47th (8.41)

Year 5 Girls (84 runners) 1500m
Marea L, 6th (8.05), Amber O, 13th (8.32), Jasmine W 22tnd (8.43) This team were 3rd
Savarnah P 27th (8.55), Milly G 32nd (9.06) Josie R (Y4) 40th (9.21)
Beth T (Y4) 42nd (9.25) Olivia P (Y4) 48th

Year 6 Boys (66 runners) 2000m
Oakley D, 1st (9.26 ), Oliver L, 2nd (9.32), Harry N 8th (10.09). This team were 1st
Thomas T, 9th (10.15) Ross M, 22nd(10.49), Kieran 26th (11.06).
Stan Cook 27th (11.12)

Year 6 Girls (62 runners) 2000m
Jemma T, 7th (11.02), Amelia O 25th, (12.05) Emily Brittain 23rd, (12.07), This team were placed 4th Harriet K 32nd (12.20)

There were lots of fantastic performances, throughout the squad, which helped Gateway achieve some excellent team and individual results. Gateway showed great depth of squad, in a number of races, with eight key runners unavailable on the day, due to illness, injury or prior commitments. Unfortunately Aidan D, Gateway’s 2nd place runner, (Y5 race) was not recorded at the finish line (we think he was 12th) meaning that our year 5 team score and our overall position might be adversely affected. Luckily his ‘placing’ did not hinder the team results as, after all the individual races had been added up, it was announced that Gateway School was Primary Champion and winner of the Aperghis Cup for the 2nd year ‘running’! A remarkable performance from all those who turned up on a bleak Saturday morning to represent the school.

Thanks go, once again, to Wycombe Phoenix for organising the event and to all the spectators who encouraged the runners round this challenging course. It was also good to see lots familiar faces, ex pupils, running in several of the older children’s races. HJ

The first local schools’ event will be at RAF Halton 15th October. First race 9.30 a.m (Year 3 Boys). Please remember to take all running kit, (boots or spikes) home on Friday 14th. The team is displayed on the Sports Notice Board. If any parent would like to volunteer to be a course marshal for one or more of the races please contact the PE Dept