District Cross Country

Two weeks ago, at the Essex Heights Primary School fun run, the nine fastest runners per age group got selected to be part of the school team. Today was the day where they got to compete against five other schools.

For those who read my previous post of the fun run: the goal that was set for the fundraising has been reached. So the fun event that involves the principle and the sports teacher will go ahead! We do not know what will happen yet, but I guess Mr Crosset does, as he already said that he might feel sick that day.

So when all other Essex Heights children went to class for another day of school, the school Cross Country team went to the bus instead, for a 15 minute drive to Norton’s park.

The schools gathered around their own tree in the park where they waited until it was their turn:

• 10.00 a.m. – 12 girls
• 10.20 a.m. – 12 boys
• 10.40 a.m. – 11 girls
• 11.00 a.m.  – 11 boys
• 11.20 a.m. – 9 &10 girls
• 11.40 a.m. – 9 & 10 boys

All groups were running two laps. Only the first four groups had a 1 1/2 km lap and the last two groups ran 1 km laps.

The results?

The first 20 kids per race received points for their school and the fastest 10 will go on to the next competition to qualify for the state cross country.

The Essex Heights kids gave it their all and gathered a couple of points, but the other schools were stronger opponents.

Unfortunately the sports teacher was too occupied to be there for the children during the race, but it was amazing to see how all the kids did everything they could to motivate the others and to cheer up the disappointed ones when necessary.

That is true team spirit, so in my eyes they were winners anyway!

* Dutch expression, which if lost in translation means to hit the wall