First XC Challenge Winners Crowned

This week we have crowned St Begh’s Junior School the first ever champions of our annual Cross Country Challenge!

As well as St Begh’s School, Valley School, Monkwray School, St James’ School, St Bridget’s School, Bransty School, St Patrick’s School and Jericho School all took part in the event, each bringing up to 60 children to take part.

The first part of the event took part back in December where hundreds of students ran the 2km course. Schools were free to enter any Key Stage 2 students and many chose to bring whole classes or year groups.

They ran in teams and their time was recorded so St Benedict’s could work out an average time for the team.

All runners will took part again last week and the team who improved their average time by the most received the first ever XC Fitness Challenge Trophy, which was awarded to St Begh’s School A Team.

Students have been working to improve their fitness since December. Teachers from the various primaries have commented that many cross curricular links have been made by incorporating science, maths and PSHE into this challenge.

This event is all about improvement, the fastest runners may improve slightly but students who could only walk last time could lead their team to victory by running more of the course this time. Every single school improved their overall time by one minute which is fabulous!

Mrs Grealish from St Benedict’s who organised the whole event said:

“I have really enjoyed putting this event together as I love to see so many students actively participating in sport. Students who may not usually enjoy sport or competition have been valuable members of their class’s team. This event was not won by being the fastest team on the day, it was about long-term improvement and choosing a healthy active lifestyle.”

“I was honoured to present St Begh’s with their trophy for improving their team by the most and being the first school to win our Cross Country Fitness trophy!”

The event is going to be an annual event, and all schools will be invited back again next to compete.

Full results & honourable mentions listed below: 

St Bridget’s School for the fastest lap time of 3.09

Jericho School for the fastest whole team time with them all completing the course by 4.31

In third place were: Monkwray A team

In second place were: St James’ B team

And our winners were: St Begh’s A team