IAPS Cross-Country

The annual IAPS cross-country event took place on Saturday, 5th May at St. Andrew's School in a sunny Turi. Our runners ran with speed, determination and endurance over distances of 3km for the under 9s and U11 girls, 4.75km for the U11 boys and U13 girls and 5.1km for the U13 boys.

Whilst cross-country running is often seen as an individual event, it is also very much a team one with points being earned by the first 4 runners of each school to go towards age group and overall results. We were very proud of all those who competed; they showed great heart and gave everything in a hilly course, at altitude. It was fantastic to see the support that the team gave to each other to encourage them to the finish line at the end of a gruelling run.

Our U9 girls, pictured above, emerged as winners of their age group, with the U11 boys and the U13 girls each placing 3rd. Lara Bailey and Nhial Srinivasan put in great performances to take bronze in their races, while Tyson Kitchens ran superbly to take gold in the U13 race, completing the 5.1km in an excellent 21:00 minutes, only 26 seconds off the course record. Had he not been so comfortably ahead of the next runners he may even have been able to set a new record. When he reached the finish line, he looked ready to go again. 

The event saw a high standard of running from all the participating schools and all the athletes who took part can be proud of their efforts and achievements. Overall, Braeburn came 5th, narrowly missing out on 4th. 

Congratulations and a big well done to all of our runners and thanks to the PE staff who have worked so well to prepare them.