9 Apr 2008 - Oaklands Participation in Cross Country Events
Cross Country: Report from Mr. Hutton
On March 6th Oaklands entered their first schools cross country event
organised by Aldryngton School. We entered a year 3/4 boy and girls teams and
a year 5/6 girls and boys team. The children were competing against 18 other
schools from across the Thames valley, and each race had nearly 300
competitors. Weather conditions on the day were good for the runners, and only
a bit cold if you were a spectator. Although some of the children had taken part
in the Wokingham fun run a few weeks earlier, for some this was their first
experience of a proper race. This was a team event and only the results from
the first four runners from each category of girls and boys counted towards the
final team position.
Our year 3/4 boy’s team came 3rdout of 14, our year 5/6 boys team came 4th
out of 15, the year 3/4 girls found it a bit harder and came 11th, likewise the year 5/6 girls came 14th. Overall the school came 7th which I think is a spectacular result for our first attempt. I believe all the children enjoyed the experience and some will have the opportunity to compete when the next season starts probably in September. Well done to all our runners who competed superbly and all contributed to the overall team position and thank you to the parents who helped with transport and recording the runners at the finish. On Wednesday 26th March 40 children took part in an end of season cross
country relay event at Woodford Park in Woodley. We entered 3 teams in the
year 3/4 boys’ event and they came4th, 5th and 20th position. The boys each had
to run 800m and then hand over the batten to the next runner. In the year3/4 girls event we entered 2 two teams of 4, and they came 15th and 16th in their
races. This was followed by the year 5/6 boys’ event, and n this age group they
were each required running 1200m before handing over the batten. In this event we recorded a 2nd place and a 10th place.
During this event the weather changed drastically and whilst we started in sunshine, by the time the third runner set off they were running in a downpour.
Finally it was the turn of the year 5/6 girl’s teams who were by this time soaked
and cold and faced the prospect of running on mud. They battled bravely on and
managed a 20th and 23rd place. Overall we were placed 7th out of 18 in the team
event which considering this was the first event of this kind we had entered was admirable. This was the final event of the cross country season and we now look forward to next season which starts in October. In the two events we have entered we have learnt a lot and hope to make an even bigger impression next season.