DESPITE arctic conditions, this year’s Castle Point and Rochford School Sport Partnership Cross Country for Primary Schools was the biggest ever with more than 700 students from 21 schools taking part.

Runners were in school years three to six and impressed in tough conditions at Canvey Island’s Cornelius Vermuyden School.

And it was Kents Hill who led the way, winning five out of the eight categories.

The Benfleet school triumphed in year three boys and girls, year four boys and girls and year six girls.

Leigh Beck, from Canvey, won the year five boys event, Benfleet’s Holy Family Catholic School the years six girls and Our Lady of Ransom, from Rayleigh, the year six boys.

The whole day ran smoothly and Steve Bish, the Castle Point & Rochford School Sport Partnership Development Manager, was full of praise for the organisers.

“I would like to thank all of the student leaders from Cornelius who made the event run so smoothly,” said Bish.

“Special thanks also to Mike Ellis, the head of PE, for the work of his team.”

PICTURE SPECIAL OF THE EVENT IN TODAY'S ECHO