Annual Inter Schools Cross Country, Thurso - 06/03/2010

108 pupils from 8 schools take part in the annual inter schools cross country event. The 64 boys and 44 girls completed the 1 mile course at the side of the river Thurso. The event was organised by Sophie Dunnet and Kenny Russell, the local active schools coordinator.

As with previous years, the children were marshalled by volunteers from the coaches and athletes from CAAC, and this year there were also helpers and volunteers from senior athletes of the North highland harriers.

The event attracted a large crowd of parents and teachers, helped by the fact that the weather brightened up to give the competitors great running conditions.

The individual winners for the boys' race were. Mark O'Brien (Halkirk) 6 min 28 sec. second was Ben Gordon (Miller) 6 min and 39 sec who was very closely followed by Scott Ross (Reay) with his time of 6 min and 40 seconds.

The winners for the girls' individual race were Gabriella Macgregor (Miller) 6min 48 sec, Rhianna Kirk (Castletown) 6 min 56 sec and Isla Cartwright (Halkirk) was third with a time of 7 min and 15 sec.

The overall schools competition was very close this year with Mount Pleasant boys, pictured with the Liam Henderson Memorial Shield, just piping Halkirk and miller academy to the prize.

The girls' competition was also close with Miller, pictured with the Jean MacKay shield, piping Halkirk into first by 4 point, Mount Pleasant girls were third.

Kenny Russell took the opportunity to thank all the runners and volunteers for helping to make the event another success.

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