Cross-country battles (From Echo)

Cross-country battles

10:21am Wednesday 26th October 2011 in Schools By James Colasanti

HUNDREDS of pupils took part in the 10th annual invitational cross-country event at Thorpe Hall School.

More than 800 youngsters from across the county took on the course at the Wakering Road school, in Thorpe Bay.

It was held over two afternoons, with the junior races being held first, followed by the senior events.

Everyone who took part received a medal, and trophies were presented to the schools for winning individual categories.

In the junior event for Years 3 to 6 on Thursday, 11 teams and more than 400 pupils took part.

The girls’ competition was won by Brentwood’s Ursuline School, with Chalkwell School in second, and St Mary’s School in third.

Chalkwell won the younger boys’ overall event, Plumberow were second, and St Mary’s were third.

The senior event for Years 7 to 11 on Friday saw 10 teams compete in one of the elite cross country events in south Essex.

Both the girls’ and boys’ events were dominated by the two Southend High schools, with both claiming the overall trophies.

Southend High won all of the age groups, apart from a success for William Edwards’ Year 10 girls, and Eastwood’s Year 11 boys.

Chris Morton, who teaches PE at Thorpe Hall, said: “It was another successful day. We had hundreds of parents watching and the weather was perfect.

“And I’d really like to thank all the sponsors because they are local companies who help us make sure that every kid who takes part gets a medal.”