OVER 150 primary school pupils turned out at Duchy College Stoke Climsland to compete in the final race of this year’s Duchy College Performance Sport Cross-Country League.

Pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 took part in one and two-mile courses and represented Altarnun, Coads Green, Delaware, Launceston Windmill, South Petherwin, St Josephs, Stoke Climsland, Trekenner and Tregadillett. The runners were collecting points for individual medals as well as the overall School Cross Country League trophy, which is sponsored by Launceston Sports.

Lowenna North, 11-years-old from Tregadillett School, has really enjoyed the races and feels it is ‘a good way to help get the younger generation into running’. Fellow student, Ocearna Peres, 11-years-old from Tregadillett School, found that in each race she was motivated to ‘try and run harder each time to beat my goal’.

It has been a very competitive league with many of the runners gunning for the top three positions for each age category from race one. Once again, the famous muddy runner course lived up to its name. The determined runners trudged through bogs and negotiated river crossings throughout the races on their demanding journeys to the finish line.

Teacher from Tregadillett School, Mr Turner, said all the students really ‘enjoyed the challenge of the cross country season’.

He said: “It really brings out the competition in them and they have showed some real strong resistance on the cold, wet days.”

Lecturer for military academy and public services at Duchy College, Neil Harris, said it has yet again been a ‘fantastic effort by all of those who have taken part in this year’s cross country league’, adding: “I would also like to thank all of the schools and parents for their continued support with the cross country event and look forward to welcoming them back next year.

“The cross country event is a great opportunity for our students within the Military and Public Services Academy to develop a range of skills that will help them within their future careers, as well as being part of the wider local community.”