National Primary Schools XC: Belvoir Castle

No less than 18 Under 11s travelled to this picturesque venue, near Grantham in Lincs., where a cold wind blew across the course as the skies remained cloudy throughout. This is the first time this event has been staged, with many county teams competing, from Kent at one end of the country up to Cumbria at the other end. The course, of about 1,000 metres in each loop, was soft underfoot with a ditch to negotiate, plus a huge pool of water just prior to the ditch.

In the first race, Year 5 Girls (seen starting, above), Woodford had 8 starters racing over 2,000 metres with 180 starters. First home was Larna Morgan, enjoying an excellent run in her first race for us. Larna was 22^nd and was overjoyed with her performance, which was achieved on just once a week training with her coach Kerry Harrington. Next home was Holly Hudson, unlucky not to be running for Herts Schools in the same race. Holly, a Year 4, was only beaten by one Herts Year 5 girl as she crossed the line in an excellent 29^th spot. Bronya Overington also exceeded expectations with an excellent 44^th. Our fourth runner home was Belle Howard who really seemed to find the heavy going to her liking with 63^rd. 5^th home for us was Molly Matheron, minus a shoe, in a brave 73^rd. Ines O'Shea, the reigning Uttlesford Year 4 champion, ran well for 85^th. Molly Wain, also only Year 4, like Larna only trains once a week with Kerry and placed a praiseworthy 102^nd. Poor Hollie Mills, our Year 5 Uttlesford Champion, lost a shoe early on but was brave to complete the course in 145^th.

In the Year 5 boys (seen starting, above), over the same course, we had 5 starters from a field of 180. First home was the impressive Jimmy Geller, going great guns at the moment. He was always up there coming through for an excellent 8^th. Next home was William Bayley, who had been suffering with a cold and cough all week but dearly wanted to run. His 50^th place was an excellent run in the circumstances. Behind William was Ellis Carter in his first race for us. Ellis, too, had been suffering during the week but still managed  67th Ellis recently ran 21 minutes 18 seconds for a 5K parkrun at St Albans. Ben Templeton-Knight must consider himself very unlucky as he was in the top 25 until he was sick. Instead of quitting he carried on for 88^th. Great credit to the lad. Sid Cody is another brave lad. Before he left home with his dad and coach Steve Cody he was sick and it looked as though he would not start. Instead Sid defied the odds and ran, coming in 137th.

In the Year 6 Girls race, over 2300 metres, we lost Zahra Malcolm with injury, which was a big blow to our talented youngster. Daisy Poole, who earlier in the week placed 2^nd in the Harlow Schools, losing by the thickness of a vest, ran well for 72nd with nearly 190 starting. Sydney Jay, a regular for our club this winter, also performed well for 150^th.

In the Year 6 race, with nearly 200 starting, Maxwell Chinn, running for Herts Schools, had a strong run throughout to place 12^th. Alessandra Berni, another in his first race for the club, went out fast and tried to hang for a top 50 but eventually placed 74th. Earlier in the week Alessandra had placed 2^nd in the Harlow Schools behind training partner Tyler Jackson. In addition he had run 21 mins 15 secs for 5k, running with coach Steve Cody in Harlow. Rohan Arnold-Fincher, another new member, placed 101^st and should be happy with that.

Although an excellent turnout we lost, through sickness and injury, Joshua and Jacob Kai Kai, Zahara Malcolm and Caitlin Hellen. They will be presented with their t-shirt that all our runners ran with.

This was an excellent turnout and there were many great performances against top opposition from across the country. The athletes should all be very proud of their achievements. With the Met League potentially bringing a team race for Under 11s we should be in good shape to challenge in that, given our Year 5 turnouts today.

I must thank both coaches, Kerry Harrington and Steve Cody, for turning up to support the youngsters and hugely thank the parents for transporting the athletes to Grantham and back. The club has little to fear for the future if we look after this group of Under 11s.

At Basingstoke in the South East Of England Inter Counties, Kai Boggon and Wren Jackson represented Essex Schools. In the Year 8 Boys race Kai had a strong run to place 30^th from 90 starters. And in the Year 8 Girls race Wren won her first County vest and should be pleased with 52nd.