On Wednesday, 10th August, a group of Years 4 - 6 Columba students headed off to Bishopscourt to participate in the annual inter-school Hills Cluster Cross Country Championships. Their selection to attend the champs was determined by results from our own school cross country held earlier this year and, despite freezing conditions, the Junior students outshone all expectations!

With an arctic breeze blowing and the foothills still dusted with snow, 18 students from the primary school walked down to Bishopscourt amid a buzz of excitement and nervous chatter. The temperatures were bitter but the sun was still managing to shine, and all races started on time for our Year 4 - 6 runners.

Starting with the Year 4 boys' race at 1:15pm, and finishing with the Year 6 girls' race at 2:00pm, Columba students competed against their peers from six other schools in the 'Hills Cluster' precinct. Competition was tough with Arthur Street School, Kaikorai Primary, Halfway Bush, Wakari School, Maori Hill School and St. Mary's all sending students to participate in the championship event. On the line was the chance to earn a place at the Otago Cross Country Champs next month, and a top 10 placing for the Year 5 & 6 students would secure this opportunity for them.

In the Year 4 boys' race (800m) Columba had Jett Cook and Samuel Murphy competing. A classic cross country race in muddy wet conditions caused lots of slipping and sliding; however, Samuel came home in 10th place which was a great result. Well done boys!

In the Year 4 girls' race, some amazing results were achieved with Emerson Hawken placing 2nd, Gabrielle van Aart crossing the line in 3rd place, Charlotte Hussey 4th, and Georgie Wellington 7th. Top 10 placings for all our Year 4 girls participating! Well done Columba!

Next came the Year 5 boys 2km race with Samuel Riley and Oliver Crayford lining up on the start line. With temperatures dropping even further, all boys set off with a cracking pace in an attempt to restore blood flow to their limbs and thaw out as quickly as possible! Samuel Riley ran an outstanding race to secure 1st place in the Year 5 boys' category. What a finish! Well done, boys.

The Year 5 girls' 2km race came next, and the effort from all our Columba runners was incredible. Abrielle Nicol secured 3rd place, Matilda Brown 4th place, and Mēabh Russell 9th! Congratulations, girls; Otago Champs here we come!

To end the afternoon, Ethan Zhou and Max Smith competed in the Year 6 boys race and ran their hearts out for Columba College. Poppy Hussey, Ruby Tilyard, Emily North, Honor Blaikie and Sophie Wellington all competed in the Year 6 girls' race, and the girls achieved some superb results. Poppy Hussey came home miles ahead of the rest of the field in 1st place, Sophie crossed the finish line in 5th place, Honor in 7th, Ruby in 10th, and Emily in 15th place!! What wonderful results, girls. We are extremely proud of you all!

Thank you to Mrs Bridger for her support and encouragement of all runners on the day, and to the brave group of parents who came out in the freezing conditions to help marshal and offer much needed encouragement from the sidelines. We appreciate you all!

We wish all runners competing in the upcoming Otago Champs all the very best! A reminder to keep your diaries clear for this event scheduled for Friday, 2nd September, at Kaikorai Valley College.