Children are quick off the mark

A TOTAL of 118 pupils attended the fourth annual Schools’ Cross Country Competition held at Shiplake College.

Pupils from Years 1 to 6 from 23 primary schools in the area competed in events of varying lengths on the sports field on Saturday morning.

This year, new schools to take part included Emmer Green Primary School, Crazies Hill Primary School, Goring Primary School and Micklands Primary School in Caversham.

The races were marshalled by Dan Bradley, the college’s director of sport, who was accompanied by his spaniel Radish.

Headmaster Tyrone Howe was waiting at the finish line, along with his golden retriever Simba, and he awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the first three finishers of each race. He also gave out Haribo sweets to the children who participated.

The medal ceremonies took place on a podium where they were greeted by cheers from staff, parents and the college pupils who helped out.

Kidmore End Primary School’s Freya Hamand, eight, from Sonning Common, who came second last year and in 2023, won the Year 3 girls’ event.

The year 4 boys’ event was a tie between Teddy Holland, nine, from Dunsden, who attends Kidmore End Primary School, and Harry Newth, from St Piran’s School in Maidenhead.

Teddy previously won the Greys Court cross country event in September last year and came second in the Shiplake event last year.

He said: “I felt pleased to have won. I have been practising with my running club every week. I also won the Oratory race last weekend.”

Teddy, who was cheered on by his parents, said he felt “proud” to receive his medal from Mr Howe while he stood on the podium.

Hughie Moorcroft, nine, from The Oratory Prep School, came third in the year 4 boys’ event.

He said he was “pleased” after he had been practising with his running club but admitted he became tired towards the end of the race.

Mr Howe said he was “impressed” with the turnout and the support from parents on the day. He said: “There were more schools represented and there was a more even split in terms of the races, with at least eight runners per race.

“It was a successful event and, as always, it’s just brilliant to get people to the college and for us to be able to use our facilities to benefit the local community.

“It was a decent morning weather-wise and there were lots of smiles. This event gets children out of their comfort zone when they’re competing against pupils from other schools.

“We have found quite a few of the pupils who were coming third and getting a bronze medal, then last year won a silver medal and this year went on to win gold. It’s great to see the progress they are making.”

Mr Howe thanked the hares and chasers, Shiplake pupils, who started each of the groups’ races. Their contribution went towards their sports leadership qualification which they do for sixth form. They included Charlie Cooper (hare and chaser), Josh Ellison (hare), Ollie Griffin (hare), Hamish Arnold, Raiph Surplice (hare), Oli Beaney, Ethan Chalfont and Seb Crehan Mills.

Mr Howe said: “I think that was the best and hardest job. I think they got a bit of a shock at just how fast the younger pupils could run.

“A few of the hares went on to play football later that morning so I think some of them had sore legs afterwards. It’s good for them to be role modelling and to get a taste of what it’s like to be a sports teacher or involved in the running of sports events.”

Mr Bradley said the event has always been enjoyable. He said: “This year we needed to introduce different routes as our new artificial pitch has been completed since the last event, which impacted on the routes used previously. This meant the start and finish lines were in front of the main school building which contributed to a great atmosphere and that the café was even busier with runners and supporters.

“I was impressed with the perseverance of all the participants and there were some particularly standout runners who earned their podium finishes. It's so nice to see some pupils return each year, many defending their crown or improving on previous finish positions. Thank you to all the staff and pupils who helped make the event happen.”

The first three places in each event were as follows:

Year 1 boys’ – 1 Harrison Barr (Rupert House), 2 Theo Wilkinson (Trinity Primary School), 3 James Purpee (Kidmore End Primary School)

Year 1 girls’ – 1 Jessica Rose (Trinity Primary School), 2 Alice Reed (Emmer Green Primary School), 3 Isabelle Benfatti (Trinity Primary School)

Year 2 boys’ – 1 Joshua Mattingly (Shiplake Primary School), 2 Jacob Newth (St Piran’s School), 3 George Gibbons (Trinity Primary School)

Year 2 girls’ – 1 Penny Newport (Goring Primary School), 2 Lily Sibbald (Oratory Prep School), 3 Freya Petit (Goring Primary School)

Year 3 boys’ – 1 Sebastian Ciccone (St Piran’s School), 2 Miles Sturgess (Sonning Common Primary School), 3 Joe Seers (Danesfield School)

Year 3 girls’ – 1 Freya Hamand (Kidmore End Primary School), 2 Soren Banbridge (St Piran’s), 3 Grace Parr (Herries Prep School)

Year 4 boys’ – 1 Teddy Holland (Kidmore End Primary School) 1 Harry Newth (St Piran’s), 3 Hughie Moorcroft (Oratory Prep School)

Year 4 girls’ – 1 Isabelle Bromley (Trinity Primary School), 2 Sophie Longden (Oratory Prep School), 3 Florence Smith (Rupert House School)

Year 5 boys’ – 1 Cillian Sheers (St Piran’s), 2 Dexter Baker (Valley Road Primary School), 3 William O’Connor (Trinity Primary School)

Year 5 girls’ – 1 Olivia Greaves (Peppard Primary School), 2 Emilia Potter (Maltman’s Green School), 3 Maisie Osborne (Trinity Primary School)

Year 6 boys’ – 1 Lucas Robinson (Moulsford Prep School), 2 Ronnie Warner (Watlington Primary School), 3 Gabriel Eapen (Moulsford Prep School)

Year 6 girls’ – 1 Freya Wright (St Piran’s), 2 Lily Jones (Oratory Prep School), 3 Harriet McClain (Trinity Primary School).