Bablake Junior School Runners do the Double!

A soggy Saturday saw record numbers of boys from across Coventry take part in the annual Coventry Primary Schools Boys Cross Country event. 

The rain held off for long enough to ensure the almost 500 runners and an equal number of spectators were treated to outstanding competition from some of the city’s most talented youngsters.

The day started with the A Race. Teams of six from 38 primary schools set off at great pace. The fast start, essential for getting and staying near the front, brought sprinting and jostling to the course. Leading the Bablake team was Giacomo MacGibbon, who traded places with his old rival Ruskin from Hearsall throughout their pursuit of the eventual winner from Holy Family. Runners from different schools made up the first 10 places. The Bablake team of Ray Thomas Devanny, Laurence Crossley, Bez Akinkoye, Dylan Arora and Rhys Esling showed great determination to secure the winners' spot in the team competition. Runners' scores are added up and each place affects the overall position of both their team and the others, as a place gained for one runner is a placed lost to another. Every place mattered and the Bablake Boys had recognised this, battling past several runners in the final sprint to the line.

The B Race was another closely fought affair with Bablake’s Jake Wattis taking third place and leading home the team. Bablake’s support runners did a fantastic job and Kingston Ruddock, Sebastian MacGibbon and Tom Hollis finished in the top 10. These finishes meant that our team score beat that of Manor Park to take top spot. It was great to see so many young Bablake runners making up the B Team; we look forward to seeing them continue their success in the future.

It was fantastic to witness so many boys out there on a cold Saturday in December, running their hearts out and giving their all for their teams. Everyone involved can take great credit from completing this challenging event - well done to all who took part.

The Victoious Bablake Teams with their Trophies