Bablake Junior Runners do the Double

Record Numbers of Boys Run in the Coventry Primary Schools Boys Cross Country Competition, Saturday 16th November 2013

Saturday dawned damp and soggy but still over 360 young athletes took to the fields of Keresley Grange in the annual Coventry Primary Schools Boy's Cross-country Championships. 34 teams from across the city had assembled to compete in one of the most challenging and inspiring events in the city's junior sporting calendar.

The fields were packed with supporting relatives and groups of runners walked the  course with trepidation. Race organiser Carol Reese was thrilled with the turn out, believing this to be the largest number of schools and boys the event had ever attracted. Perhaps this is the grass root spin off the Olympic organisers had been hoping for!

The A Team race was first off with almost 200 runners dashing past the whooping crowds. From the start last year's winner from Stivichall Primary, Jasper Tetlow, led the field. Hot on his heels was Jake Minshallfrom Mount Nod. A boy with a tremendous racing pedigree, he had won the B team race last year.Jasper and Jake were pressed all the way by Bablake runners Josh Connolly and Sam Herniman but they were never to be caught. In a very fast time, Jasper ran out the winner again with Jake in second and Josh Connolly completing the podium. Jasper's back to back victories were another first amongst a day of great achievement. The race was hard fought and everyone, from the winner to the 194th finisher, competed with determination.

The A Team Competition saw Bablake Junior take the honours with Stivichall in second place. The Bablake team had all their five counting runners; Josh, Sam, Oliver Pemble, Matthew Hart and Asad Ssemewogerere in the first twelve places. Once again strong performances from the Christ the King boys saw them take the bronze. Pearl Hyde, Hollyfast and Grange Farm, led home by Gabriel Smith in 9thplace, continue to move up the team table.

The B Team race had attracted record numbers and 178 hopefuls set off with great pace at the sound of the hooter. Jordan Macaliece-Evans from Allesley quickly took the lead and held off the challenge from Bablake's Patrick Heffermann and Jude Schofield from Stivichall Primary. Their battle ended in a tie for second place. Coming home just behind them was George Beaumont from King Henry VIII just in front of the Bablake trio of Adam Tyas, Archie Burdett and Ray Thomas-Devany.

Twenty three schools competed in the B team race with Bablake Junior showing great strength in depth to take the main prize. King Henry's Prep secured the runners up slot with Allesley, Stivichall and Coundon not far behind. Many of the runners in the B Team race were younger boys from Years 3, 4 and 5. A tremendous effort and in a year or two we look forward to seeing them lead home their teams in the A race.

Dave Long, the Coventry Olympian, was on hand to do the honours and hand out the prizes. Perhaps one day one of those children who ran on Saturday will follow him to the very top of the sporting world. Given the talent on display this seems possible.

The Bablake coach Kate Price was delighted with her boy's performances but also had special praise for everyone who had competed in this tough race:

"This was a fantastic event," she said. "Three hundred and seventy boys were not found wanting and enjoyed a spectacular mornings racing. All the boys are winners - even to enter such a challenging race shows great determination and courage. From those who finished at the front to those who were near the back, everyone was cheered home and the boys' parents and their schools must be ever so proud of them. Many thanks to Carol Rees, Tony Pedley and everyone at Keresley Grange for once again organising such successful races."