3rd Stockport Harriers Primary Schools Cross Country 2013/14

Before I comment on any specific results I want to make two general points. Firstly, I am really pleased with so many of the times as they were achieved under very slow, heavy conditions. In fact, puting it bluntly, some parts of the course were a bog and others one big puddle (as Cross Countries should be for sheer fun). Times, that are close to previous times, are in fact, in my book, personal bests and there are many of them. Secondly, Cross Country races are sometimes quite a rough and tumble affair. I saw two of our group take a tumble - Ben and William B and Frank got spiked right at the start of the race. Really proud of these three lads as even though the race was not going to plan, they just kept at it and finished the race in a positive fashion and with no emotion or fuss. I'm sure Ben thought it was a Commando assault course (it certainly looked like it in places) he actually fell three times during the course of the race. Well done lads for demonstrating your toughness and positive attitude so impressively.

Well done to Sofia for her top 5 finish in the Year 3/4 Girls race. Grace T produced an excellent performance, to get her best finishing position to date in an excellent time, considering the conditions. Well done Grace, technically you looked much improved and you looked relaxed and enjoying the experience. The outstanding performance in this race came from Hannah J. To come 8th and achieve a PB time, in the bog, is a fantastic result for a year 3 running against year 4s. I am really impressed with these three young athletes. If this is what is being achieved from a purely endurance perspective now, the future looks very positive.

In the Year 3/4 Boys race, William H achieved another really gritty top 10 finish and gave it his all. Frank, once he had finished with his fight with a spike, came a very credible 16th. William B (after his tumble) 27th, Tom 34th (best position to date) and Sam 46th all ran solid races and as Year 3s are learning a lot and getting more and more comfortable with competing and racing.

The Year 5/6 Girls race saw Lauren put in a really good effort in a good time and a lot closer to others, who didn't relish the conditions. Ella T produced an excellent run to knock over a minute off her previous best time and finish just outside the top 20. Megan, having been injured recently, produced another good top 20 finish. There is still a lot more to come from these two year 5 girls. Cara completed the quartet from our group and produced a solid effort to come 38th.

Our Year 5/6 Boy group was highly depleted and it was left to William C and Ben to fly the flag for the group and naturally and more importantly their lovely school. Will achieved another really good Top 10 finish with a very good time. He went for it from a long way out, which was nice to see, as it shows me his confidence is growing. Ben despite his 3 tumbles finished a credible 27th. He has promised me that he will next time leave the assault course and get onto the cross country one instead. Well done Ben for completing the race and being able to laugh about the experience at the end of it all. Superb attitude!

The official results are attached below.

Stockport Harriers Primary School Cross Country races 2013/14