Wokingham

It was an uphill struggle but Wokingham's Aldryngton Primary School became league and relay cross-country running champions on Thursday March 15.

The final event of the Thames Valley Cross Country League, held at the Bulmershe School in Woodley, saw nearly 400 children from 13 primary schools battling into the wind for trophies from Wokingham Borough Council, to prove their cross-country prowess.

The Thames Valley Cross Country League is organised by Gordon Davies, headteacher of Beechwood Primary School in Woodley, and Terri Gregory of Aldryngton Primary School in Earley is the league’s secretary. Most of the schools who take part in the league are Wokingham borough schools – and Aldryngton were this year’s overall winners.

Terri said: “It was a windswept and open field and quite a tough uphill run in places. I’m really impressed with the way all the competitors ran. They are very determined and I’m delighted to see so many taking up the challenge.

“There were four league events during the year leading up to the exciting relay finale, and the children have trained hard all through the year.”

Graham Swatridge, director of community sport at the Bulmershe School and an executive member of Wokingham Borough Sports Council, invited the league to hold the final at the Bulmershe School. He said: “It was great to see so many youngsters involved in the cross-country relays. There were over 300 competing, which was more than last year and there were more spectators too. Gordon, Terri and the individual schools’ staff have done a fantastic job over the year and must take all the credit for their drive and inspiration.”

Teams of four from each school took part in the final event, and each child ran one lap. Year three and year four children (aged seven to nine) ran 800m, and year five and year six children (aged nine to eleven) ran 1200m.

The overall winners were decided based on the results of boys and girls results in both age groups. Therefore only schools that had competitors in all four sections could compete for the title of overall winners of the league.

The results were:
Aldryngton Primary 1ST
Polehampton Junior 2ND
Spinfield School, Marlow 3RD
St Dominic Savio Primary 4TH
Robert Piggott Junior 5TH
Nine Mile Ride Junior 6TH
Arborfield Junior 7TH
Beechwood Primary 8TH

Wokingham Borough Council