Wycombe Phoenix Schools’ Cross Country, Hughenden Valley - Saturday 7 October 2017

Fifteen primary schools participated in the 14th Wycombe Phoenix Schools’ Cross Country event.

The under 10’s course took the children round a challenging 1500m up a testing incline at the halfway point. Y6 children had an extra 500m loop with an even steeper hill at the mile mark. Conditions were good for the competitors; a little chilly with a little drizzle but soft under foot. Some runners were disappointed, to discover the ‘stream’ they had to cross was just a dry river bed this year.

Year 6 Boys (70 runners) 2000m

George C, 4th (9.04), Will Sl 13th (9.49), Hugh P 23rd (10.04). These boys were placed 2nd

Aidan D, 26th (10.11), Ronnie P-B, 48th (10.47), Alex C 55th inj (11.09)

Year 6 Girls (70 runners) 2000m

Marea L, 2nd (9.21), Penny D, 23rd (10.38), Milly Gl 43rd (12.05) This team were 4th

Year 5 Boys (87 runners) 1500m

Zach C, 2nd ((6.55) Y4, Ed S, 15th (7.17) Y4, Sam B 21st (7.28) Y4. This team were 3rd

Charlie D-S 28th (7.36) Y4. Henry L, 45th (8.04), Savva N 48th (8.05),

Year 5 Girls (91 runners) 1500m

Josie R 6th (7.33) Beth T 8th (7.39), Katie A 12th (7.44) Y4 These girls were placed 2nd

Olivia P 18th (7.58), Darcey Y 26th (8.15) Y4, Charlotte G 32rd inj (8.17),Y4

Penelope L 33rd (8.17), Danica F 41st (8.29) Y4 Kirsten H, 68th (9.55)

It was pleasing to see some new members in the cross country squad. Several children were competing for their first time, having just joined the school and showing good potential in early season training; whilst others had worked really hard, over the past year, to improve their running and grab this opportunity. This also gave some of the Year 4 runners the chance to gain course knowledge and experience for next year!

There were some superb performances, throughout the team but praise also goes to several runners who ‘hobbled’ their way to the finishing line, having picked up niggling injuries, during the race.

Gateway have been Primary Champions (winners of the Aperghis Cup) for the past two years and were pleasantly surprised when the results were announced to discover they had won the cup again, despite having many key runners unavailable on the day! It was another inspiring squad performance (especially from the yr4 runners) and just reward for all those who were available and willing to give up their Saturday morning to represent the school. Godstowe also deserve a special mention, as their girls performed superbly, dominating some races but are not deemed eligible for the overall competition, being a girls only school.

Thanks go to Wycombe Phoenix for organising this event and to all the spectators who encouraged the runners round this challenging course. What also makes this event so pleasurable is to meet up with so many ex Gateway pupils, running in a whole range of senior school races; and still performing at the highest level.

HJ