On the 12th February, the county cross country championship saw 500 runners from all over Cumbria congregate at Hunter Hall school in Penrith. This was the first time the school had hosted this prestige event and with storm Ciara having blown through just days before, Wednesday’s blue skies provided perfect conditions for running.
The course, with wall and stream crossings, proved to be a real hit with many of the children. As did the hot chocolate, cake and sausage butties! The annual race provides children from year 4, 5 & 6 children with the chance to test their metal against the counties finest and this year’s competition was no different.
The event comprises both borough and school team events, as well as offering the top twelve in each of the year 5 & 6 races, a chance to represent Cumbria at the National Cross Country Championships to be held at Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire (21st March, 2020).
Whilst the action on the course was impressive, equally impressive was the whole school effort involved in running the day. A huge thank you must go to John Pouncenby (Cumbria Schools’ Athletics Association) and the Hunter Hall community, for putting on such a fabulous event. The volunteers and staff involved; marshalling, serving refreshments, setting up the course and parking cars.
For a small school like Hunter Hall to have two thirds of upper school pupils running; three teams place 2nd or above; 3 pupils claim individual medals; and at least 5 pupils go on to represent Cumbria at the National Championships, it is a sensational achievement. As the masses made their way home, one visitor was overheard commenting ‘What an amazing little school’. They are not wrong!
