On Wednesday this week the Ariki Cup Cross Country Champs were held at Kettle Park for Columba Intermediate students wanting to qualify for the upcoming Otago Cross Country Champs. Columba had nine students competing in the event, and all who took part should be very proud of their efforts!

After the morning dawned bright and warm, the clouds rolled in and the rain came down in typical style leading up to the start of races. Thankfully, with limited time to spare, the rain clouds departed in time for the start buzzer and the track was suitably wet and muddy as runners set off at a cracking pace for the annual Ariki Cup Challenge.

The Year 7 and 8 girls' race was run together and Columba College is very proud of how our students competed against a strong field of runners. Particular mention needs to go to Anna Riley who came home in 2nd place (Year 7 girls division), and Isabella van Aart who crossed the line in 5th place. Gracie Prior (8th) and Madison Bryce (10th) also had great races and finished in the top 10 group of runners. 

Our group of Year 8 Columba students also ran well with Ruby Nicolson coming home in 8th place and Beth Elder in 9th for the Year 8 girls division. Well done to all athletes for your fantastic display of effort, determination, and stamina out on the course. It was not an easy race, and you all did so well. Congratulations, Columba! 

Thank you to the parents and friends who braved the cooler temperatures at Kettle Park and came to support our runners. A big thank you also goes to Tony Gomez from John McGlashan College who captured some fantastic pictures of our Columba students. 

For a full list of results from the day, please see the attachment below. We wish athletes competing in the Otago Primary and Intermediate Cross Country Champs on Friday 2nd September all the very best.