St. George’s took part in the autumn round of the inter-school cross country relay race at St. Ouen’s Manor on Wednesday 15th October. Eight excited youngsters piled into the minibus keen to run. For seven out of the eight it was their first time in this event.
On arrival, we established our base near a large oak tree, and then set off to walk the course, around the beautiful grounds of St. Ouen’s Manor. The course is a kilometre long and is run over a mixture of paths and fields with both flat and steep parts. As we walked around it began to dawn on the children that each of them would have to run the whole course. "Do we have to run all this?" they asked.
"Yes," I replied, "and as quickly as possible!" We arrived at the lake, "This is the part where you have to swim across "I said, several astonished gasps were emitted and then one bright spark piped up, "Mrs. Le Neveu is joking!"
On our return there was just enough time to warm up and pin numbers on to the final runners. Soon Mr. Chanter was calling all twenty-five schools to get into their waiting pens. The Seigneur of the Manor Mr. Malet De Cateret started the boys’ race; they were so eager they set off before the whistle and had to be quickly stopped and started again. Then they were off, twenty – three boys all jostling for a space, St. George’s Sandy Prosser right in the middle. The girls race began immediately afterwards and St. George’s Flora Devenport got a good start.
The runners disappeared out of sight and spectators strained to see them emerging up some steps and into the inclined part of the course. As each runner came into the final stretch, everyone was cheering and clapping. Sandy Prosser and Flora Devenport put in a good first lap and handed over to William Cunningham and Sophia Bourne who both maintained a good pace. Third runners, Louis O’Hara and Hannah Patel, were soon on their way and the final runners, Sam Roberts and Amelia de Putron eagerly awaited their return. Soon enough they were on their way, the rest of the team cheering them on at every glimpse. When I asked the children if they had enjoyed running they hesitated, and then said yes, it had been hard but they were all pleased to have taken part. All of them deserve praise for running their best.
Finally everyone gathered around Mr. Le Boutillier to hear the results. The winning boys’ team was VCP and JCG won the girls’ race. Out of 23 schools St. George’s boys finished 20th in a time of 20.42. The girls did extremely well and were 8th out of 25 schools, in a time of 21.03.
St. George’s were well represented at the event. Many thanks to parents for supporting and to Mrs. S. Jones and her husband for marshalling and, most of all, to Mrs. Morgan who organised and had overall responsibility of the event as secretary of the J.S.S.A Primary athletic section.
We look forward to the second event in the spring term.
Mrs. Le Neveu