On Friday 2nd September 2022, eight students from the Junior and Middle Schools headed to Kaikorai Valley High School to participate in the Otago Primary Schools' Cross Country Champs. The field was buzzing with excitement and nerves, and all runners were exceptional in their efforts and attitude.

Eight keen runners from Columba assembled at Kaikorai Valley College on Friday last week excited to participate in the Otago Cross Country Champs. The field was amass with runners and spectators, and all Columba students were outstanding in their preparation and composure as their races loomed.

The Year 5 girls were first up for the competition at 11:30am with a hooter signalling the start of their 2.0km race. Matilda Brown and Abrielle Nicol were representing Columba in the Year 5 girls division and both ran extremely well. Matilda came home in 8th place and Abrielle in 10th. What a cracking result for these two athletes, especially considering they were up against a field of 74 runners!   

Next up came the Year 5 Boys race, with Samuel Riley the only runner representing Columba College in this division and lining up with 80 other Year 5 boys from across the Dunedin and wider Otago region. What a race it was for superstar Samuel! He showed maturity beyond his years and set a superb pace for himself when the front bunch of runners set off with a rapid sprint. Samuel's determination, stamina, self-belief and pure talent was a joy to witness, and when he cruised home in first place after an outstanding race it was hard not to feel extremely proud of this young man. Well done, Samuel, your gold medal was without doubt, extremely well deserved!

The Year 6 girls race followed soon after and Columba College had Poppy Hussey and Sophie Wellington in the line up. Poppy came home in 4th place with a time of 8:30.18, and Sophie ran a strong race, crossing the finish line in the middle of the pack. Out of 73 runners, both girls should be very proud of their efforts!

The final race of the day for Columba was the Year 7 girls. Isabella van Aart, Gracie Prior and Anna Riley jostled their way to the start line with 56 other Year 7 girls, and yet again our Columba athletes ran with a superb amount of effort and determination. Anna Riley finished the 2.4km race in 4th place with a time of 10:35.10, Isabella van Aart in 13th place, and Gracie Prior in 14th place. Well done, girls! A great effort all round.    

For a full list of results from each race, please see the attachments below. Thank you to all the family and friends of Columba who came out to support our fabulous runners. What a great day it was!