Windermere School recently hosted the annual Inter-Schools’ Cross-Country event.
More than 600 people from 25 schools across South Lakes and Lancashire attended the event, with over 400 runners hoping to win the Elleray Shield.
Kate Collin of St Mark’s Primary School won the U10 girls’ race and St Thomas took the shield home with four runners in the top 10. The boys’ race was won by Simon Rigby of St Oswald’s, with Levens CE School securing the U10 shield.
The penultimate race saw Windermere win the U11 shield on home soil as Elsa Jurd, Gracie Yearsley, Karis Rooney and Patia May Pickering secured top 15 finishes in the girls’ race, which was won by Jessica Edmonson of Coniston C of E Primary School. Finally, the U11 boys’ race was won by last year’s winner Louis Bigland of Heron Hill, with Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School taking the shield home.
Sarah Whitehead, head of physical education at Elleray, praised the runners: “We’ve been treated to some terrific racing and all those who have taken part should feel very proud of themselves. This is not a course for the faint-hearted.
“I would like to thank everyone involved. You have helped to make the afternoon a real success – the runners, the team managers, the marshals, the hares, scorers, first aiders, maintenance staff, office staff and of course, the catering team.”
Rachael Thomas, head of the Elleray Campus, added: “It has been wonderful to see the Elleray Campus buzzing with excitement. The sporting atmosphere was electric, with a healthy mix of competitiveness and support. The children have shown real drive and determination and I’m sure that the members of staff from the visiting schools would want to join me in saying a huge ‘well done’ to all the runners.”