Race 2 - Saturday 26 November 2016

With temperatures hovering just around zero, it was only the brave and hardy who toed the start line today. Under foot, the ground was partially frozen with the youngest runners getting the worst of it. Hats off to all our children (or hats on, given the weather), but particularly to our youngest runners, who braved the cold conditions, battling for points for their school team.

In the Year 3 and 4 boys race, Harry Bayman was right at the front challenging for most of the race. Behind him, Jake Royle ran a typically clever race getting his pacing just about perfect to carve his way through the field. Carter Graham and Harry Johnson both competed in their first Salford Schools Race of the season putting in very creditable performances.

Jasmine Wright paced herself beautifully to be at the front of the field with 400m to go in the Year 3 and 4 girls race. After being overtaken on the penultimate hill, she showed the grit and determination we've come to expect from her, surging past her opponent to take her second consecutive win in this year's series. Behind her, Amelia Stringer ran an equally gutsy race working her way through the field for a fantastic 7th place finish. Many of the remaining girls in our team packed tightly together (as you'll see on film) with some of our youngest runners mixing it with their older counterparts. We've a real plethora of talent in our Year 2 class and it was thrilling to see so many of them do battle, producing stunning runs, on such a cold day. As a school, we couldn't be prouder of each and every single one of you.

Our Year 5 and 6 boys were led home by Matthew Greenwood, closely followed by Tyler Weaver and Joseph Stringer. I appear to have missed a few of our boys on film as some opted for a long sleeve top over their school colours. Please accept my apologies, boys. The number of Year 5 boys who consistently turn out in each and every race is commendable and it is very much appreciated. Long term stalwart of cross country, Matthew Hughes, is now well supported by Cameron, Louie, Tyler, Joel and Matthew Greenwood. Well done to all of you. From Year 6, our two Josephs (both looking very merry!) put in strong runs today in the cold conditions. Well done to all our boys.

The final race of the day was the Year 5 and 6 girls. The starter pointed out to them that they had both the best of the weather and ground conditions. His words seemed to put them in good spirits because they all ran well! Millie Bayman was our first athlete across the line with a fine second place. Marissa Caldwell continues to go from strength to strength with an equally excellent 5th place finish. Izabela produced a spirited finish to take 12th place, closely followed by Sophia Roiditis (14th) and Khizzie Crompton (16th). Bailey-Rae O'Keefe, Maisie Jeffries, Kara Pritchard, Khloe Boulter, Erika Fowles, Catherine Scanlan, Rebecca Hardwick and Lucy Thompson each produced very pleasing runs in the difficult conditions. It was particularly pleasing to see a cross country debut for Catherine and she equipped herself tremendously well throughout.

Full results will be available shortly as we look to see how we stand in the team competitions. In the meantime, please enjoy viewing the race videos and selection of photographs available below. Well done once again to all our runners.

James Brindley Results:

Year 3 and 4 Boys

Name	Position
Harry Bayman	8
Jake Royle	13
Carter Graham	39
Harry Johnson	115

Year 3 and 4 Girls

Name	Position
Jasmine Wright	1
Amelia Stringer	7
Emily Johnson	30
Evie Thompson	32
Scarlett Aylett	36
Caitlin Lyth	37
Imogen Pattison	41
Erin Carinci	69
Claudia Worrall	88
Izabell Booth	95
Vanessa Soares	104
Francesca Woodward	116
Holly Humphries	117
Ruby Pritchard	127

Year 5 and 6 Boys

Name	Position
Matthew Greenwood	43
Joseph Stringer	49
Joel Purvis	66
Tom Morrissey	76
Cameron Hall	85
Tyler Weaver	45
Louie Pearson	87
Joseph Seddon	90
Matthew Hughes	91

Year 5 and 6 Girls

Name	Position
Millie Bayman	2
Marissa Caldwell	5
Izabela Bamber	12
Sophia Roiditis	14
Khizzie Crompton	16
Kara Pritchard	22
Bailey-Rae O’keefe	27
Maisie Jeffries	32
Khloe Boulter	41
Erika Fowles	53
Kamilla Faria-Soares	60
Catherine Scanlan	70
Rebecca Hardwick	71
Lucy Thompson	74