Palmers retain cross-country crown

With the sun out and the temperature very mild, Newnham Park was again the perfect setting for the whole school cross-country event.

The course was a mix of open fields and woodland trails, with a few hills thrown in for good measure. Pupils ran either 4 km (Years 7 to 10), or 5 km (Year 11 and Sixth Form).

For the second year running, Palmers (red) took the top spot with Sargents (green) moving up a place into second. Dales (yellow) dropped a position to third and the 2012 winners, Chaytors (blue), remained in fourth place.

In the seniors' 5 km race, Harry Preston (Lower Sixth) was the first home in a course record of 14:19. Emily Ackford (Year 11) took nearly 2 minutes off the girls' course record to win in 15:25. The winner of the last two years, Dominic Day, was the first Upper Sixth boy home in 14.51 with Hettie Burrows the first Upper Sixth girl to cross the line in 20:07. Charlotte Hill clocked 19:15 for Lower Sixth girls while Steven Rogers took the honours for Year 11 boys (15:15) - this was the third consecutive win for both. 

Frankie Aldred (Year 10) again took the top spot in the 4 km race, breaking his own course record by finishing in 10:56. Jess Manning (Year 9) just pipped Kay Bryson (Year 10) to the post, with times of 14:02 and 14:12 respectively. Kay is also a third-time year group winner. The first Year 9 boy was Josh Hellings, who matched his winning time of 13:59 from last year. Kendi Bynoe, the first girl home in Year 8, was also a winner 12 months ago. Ed Smart took the honours for Year 8 boys, while Alex Ratsey (14:11) and Tallulah Bryson (15:29) crossed the line first for the Year 7s.

Headmaster, Dr Simon Wormleighton, presented the individual medals and the Lang Cup. The event was organized by Deputy Head, Sarah Dunn.

"Newnham Park is a spectacular setting and I'm delighted with how the race went", said Sarah. "The weather was kind to us, which was a huge relief, and it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and energy of everyone coming together for a whole school event. 

"A big thank you to parents Mr and Mrs Cobbold for letting us use Newnham Park again."