Milton Country Park hosts South Cambs School Sport Partnerships annual Small Schools Cross Country competition

Almost 600 children from 17 primary schools took part in last week’s South Cambs School Sport Partnerships annual Small Schools Cross Country competition at Milton Country Park.

The sun came out for what has now become a highlight in the sporting calendar for many schools, with some children racing at the venue for a second or third time.

The pupils who took part were competing for individual honours and team pride as they raced the one-mile course and they were cheered on by their team-mates as they came back through the start area to complete their second lap.

Partnership manager Claire McDonnell said: “It was lovely to see so many children enjoying themselves and having fun together. There was lots of determination on display as the children took on the one-mile course and it was great to see them all supporting each other and cheering on their team-mates.

“These events are really good fun but also so important for children’s physical and mental health. It was lovely to see their smiles on the children’s faces.

“We must thank the 25 sports leaders from Impington Village College who volunteered at the event leading the warm-up zone, running at the back of each race as sweep runners, helping at the finish line and generally supporting the children. They did a great job, along with the team of uniformed services students from Cambridge Regional College who marshalled the route for us. I say it every time, but we simply couldn’t run events like today without their support.”

There was a total of eight races on the day with a separate boys and girls race for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 with the first three finishers in each race receiving a medal and certificate.

In the team competition it was the top three placed runners from each school that scored for their team with a separate Year 3 & 4 and Year 5 & 6 team competition.

With four top-three places in the four Year 5/6 races it was the team from Harston & Newton who took the team title followed by Girton Glebe who finished in second place.

The Year 3/4 competition was dominated by Haslingfield. In the Year 4 races they had three finishers in the top three places which helped to secure them the trophy.

Thriplow finished in second place despite not having any finishers in the top three places, showing real running strength across the team.

Meanwhile, the teams from Bourn Primary Academy finished third in both team competitions.