Greshams Cross Country
On the 10th  of October at 7am, eight excited, but tired children set off for Gresham's Prep School in Norfolk.  They were off to a cross-country race but before we reached the A12 one of the team members started to feel unwell. We stopped, rearranged the seating and set off again.  This was going to be a long journey, the children had been specially selected from a large cross-country squad, and we had to arrive on time, ready to run the long gruelling course.

We arrived at 10am, perfect, the children were very bubbly and raring to go, we made our way to the briefing area, and once the children had been given their race numbers we were led to the marshalling area - ‘No. 11'. The eight runners settled down then they were split into their age groups to walk the course with the other 486 competitors.  Mrs. Brown walked with the 3 and 4's and I walked with 5 and 6's. We went past the astro pitches towards the hedges, turning right by the rugby pitches and into the woods. Then out into the field, back into the woods, towards the football pitch and up towards the finish; a long, difficult course.

The years 3and 4 were off, 118 runners, I saw Arthur lead the field into the woods. I waited and waited, he came out third but looking strong.  Not far behind was the rest of his team Alex C, Thomas, and Oliver.  What a super race; the boys were tired but extremely proud of their results. Arthur 3^rd.  Alex C 11^th , Thomas 12^th and Oliver 13^th. 100 boys started this race

The next race was the boys 5 and 6 race, this course was about 400 metres longer. Alex G and Ben made their way to the start line along with another 124 boys.  Both boys ran a super race finishing 14^th and 17^th respectively.

Francesca and Alexandra were in the last race; all the boys were waiting at the start line to cheer them on.  The girls ran a fantastic race against 118 other girls; they finished in 12^th and 33^rd place

After an excellent prizing giving, with lots of cheering, the ten of us plus Arthur's medal made our way back to Danbury.

It was a pleasure to watch these children represent their school, they all gave 110% in their respective races, and they were super ambassadors for Heathcote School.

Mrs D. Rae