Thirty-eight keen and fit Primary cross-country runners raced their way around a very tough hilly course at our first Independent District Cross Country competition. We are proud of our five, top six placegetters and of the nine boys and 12 girls teams who placed 4th overall. Our GCC Primary team placed 5th overall from the 11 Independent schools competing, which was a fantastic result.

The long uphill finish was a challenge for everyone and the hilly 3km course certainly tested the athletes’ fitness and tenacity. Most members of our team had trained hard for these races and it surely showed as almost everyone finished in the top half of the field.

Ethan Doyle and Peytence Formby flew around their 2km course and we were all very excited to see Ethan coming up the hill in second place. Peytence also ran amazingly to finish 5th in the nine-year-old races.

Ten-year-old Hadley Smith ran a strong race throughout and was determined to hold onto her 6th place in the close finish up the long final hill to the finish line. Sophie Doyle went straight to the front of the field from the start of her 11-year-old race and settled in second place for most of the race. She held this position to the finish although she was closing the gap on the first placegetter with every stride. Isola Lobley ran the race of her life knocking one minute off her personal best time. Isola must love the hills on this course! Isola, Sophie and Hadley will all represent the Independent District at the Regional Championships in early June.

Eleven students finished in the top ten placings which was a great effort and almost everyone else finished in the top half of the field. Congratulations to the whole team for training hard and producing fantastic results. 

Wendy Stott