House Cross Country Championships
Despite the weather being wet and dreary on Tuesday 15 May the annual Years 3-6 House Cross Country Championships went ahead at Chelsworth Park and luckily for the runners, the rain actually stopped during the races held between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
The children were all well prepared for this event with every child over the last five weeks training on average three times a week, for 10 minutes in either PE lessons or during class time. As well as being Cross Country preparation, we promote the last month as a ‘Cardiovascular Fitness’ program. Encouraging all children in Years 3-6 to be more active and to learn to enjoy aerobic exercise and the health benefits it brings, not only now as a child, but into their adult life.
This event is always a feel-good day. The students admit, the idea of running 2-3km is daunting and tough, but almost all talk about their sense of accomplishment and pride when they finish the course no matter how long it takes them.
There is always a collegial spirit on the day with all students supporting each other as they aim to finish the course. However, you can also see the friendly competition in the air as all runners push to gain valuable points for their house and hopefully help their team claim the coveted Cross Country Trophy!
Chelsworth Park is always a great natural backdrop for the event, the start/finish area looked amazing set up for the event and was a hub of activity. It was great to see so many parents there cheering along the runners, I know the children really appreciated the support and a big thank you to the 10-15 parents who gave up their time to be course marshals and ensure the safety of the children around the course.
For some students, this won’t be their last Cross Country race for the year. The Top 10 in the Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12 age groups (for Both Girls and Boys) have qualified for the school team and will race again on Monday 28 May at the Ivanhoe District Championships at Banyule Flats.
Now for the result… After eight races and 190 competitors slogging it out around the park, the final result was very close. Every runner earned a point for their team for competing and an extra point for every position higher than finished. There was only 50 points separating 1st to 4th. Congratulations must go to LINCOLN for winning the event on 607 points, followed by Athelstane – 604, Thoresby – 597 and Sherwood – 556.
,,
