This year the top 3 finishers in the year 4 boys and girls Oakland's School Cross Country were invited to take part in the Hillview Christian School year 0-4 Cross Country Challenge. The Hillview XC challenge is the best runners from 15 schools.

The year 4 Oakland's running team of Max Taylor, Aaron Hu and Lilly Bushnell made the race on the day. Yvonne Zhoa and Myles Hohipuha were unable to attend. Year 1 students Alex Brown and Michael Montague-Ebbs joined the year 4 runners.

Spirits were high as the team assembled at Hillview School on race day. 450 runners from 15 schools were soon gathered on the field waiting in anticipation. The course had 3 hay bales to jump down the back straight. The Oakland's team all had a quick practice jumping them and a walk around the course before racing started. Max Taylor showed exceptional technique and speed with his jumping, which I am sure helped the others in the team.

The first race was the year 1 boys 700m with 54 entrants. Michael and Alex found their position on the start line and proceeded to use dance moves to make the opposition think they weren't much of a race threat... and it worked! The two Oakland's boys were off like race horses in the leading pack. Alex pulled away at the front finishing in first position. Michael used super speed on the back straight of the second lap to get ahead of 4th and hold on for a very well run 3rd.

Next up was the year 4 boys 1000m race with 54 entrants. Aaron and Max were up against tough competition. But they were up to the challenge. Max's sprint speed rocketed him to high up near the leaders early on. The effects of a cold not helping him in the later stages, but he dug deep and kept going and was rewarded finishing in the top half of the field with 26th. Aaron worked consistently hard throughout the race. His pacing was perfect. His yellow Oakland's top not too far behind the leaders. He ran really well for 11th place.

The final race was the year 4 girls 1000m with 51 entrants. Lilly's red Oakland's top stood out as she raced around the course. She picked up lots of places running hard. With her Mum, Grandparents and the Oakland's team cheering her on she came in an impressive 7th!

After the racing, the prize giving was held at the Hillview gym with Daniel Prescott (NZ Secondary School XC winner) and Kate Currie (Canterbury XC Secondary School winner and 7th in NZ Secondary XC) handing out medals and certificates. To finish there was a delicious afternoon tea put on by Hillview Christian School.

Many thanks to Hillview Christian School, Paul Norton and all those who made the race day a success.

Rod Brown