On Tuesday 10th March, Northbourne Park School hosted for the 12th year running, the annual Primary Schools Cross Country Relay.
The weather was perfect and the school and the course were bathed in glorious sunshine, with not a breath or hint of wind – just a slight chill in the air. These were absolute perfect running conditions.
This year 28 teams of 6 runners from 16 different schools participated in the event, with each team comprising of 3 boys and 3 girls from either Year 5 or Year 6. Northbourne Park School entered 3 teams into the race this year, including children from Years 3, 4, 5, Year 6 and 6e (Sixième) and a special mention of Poppy Rutter, Grace Roche, Mariella Dance, Max Skingle and Charlie Unitt, who as Year 3 and Year 4 pupils, were running against children two or three years older than them – such tenacity, bravo!
As all the schools arrived for the race, there was much excitement as well as a few nerves, which helped in creating a wonderful fun filled atmosphere. This is a relay event with each runner carrying their team’s baton whilst completing an 800m course, before handing the baton onto their next team mate.
The race started off at a frenetic pace with every team jostling for a good position., and after nearly 30 minutes of great fun, rivalry and superb competition, each runner had completed the course, having achieved their own personal goals, whilst surprising themselves along the way as to what they can achieve when they put their minds to it – the mental joy of middle distance running!!
Northbourne Park’s A team ran a very exciting, mature and tactically perfect race at every stage of the relay. This assured run meant that they were deserved winners, well done – simply outstanding!
The top three schools were:
1st Place Northbourne Park School A
2nd Place Wingham Primary School A
3rd Place Kingsdown and Ringwould A
The final results of Northbourne Park teams were:
1st Place NPS Team A
9th Place NPS Team B
17th Place NPS Team C
Craig Riley, Director of Sports said: “A massive thank you must go to ‘Team Northbourne’ for yet another fantastic cross-country event – two successes in one week!! To the runners – you were all fantastic!! Here’s to an even bigger and better event next year!”