Torrential rain forces last-minute change for 380 triumphant young runners

Torrential rain forced a last-minute change of course for the Year 3 and 4 cross-country competition in Rossendale, but nearly 380 children still took part.

On the run-up to the event, organised by Rossendale School Sports Partnership, RSSP, the weather was awful and School Games Organiser Nathan Bibby said he was receiving messages from schools on the day asking if it had been cancelled.

He said: “When we arrived to set the course at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall in the morning, myself, my dad Andy and Steve Duxbury from Rossendale Harriers found the hill had become a waterfall so we had to re-route the course. I like including the hill as it gives a bit of a challenge, but safety has to be a priority.

“However, the new route, about a mile, turned out to be better for the spectators as it meant the watching parents could see the start, the middle and the finish.”

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In total, 23 primary schools took part, slightly less than the entry for the Year 5 and 6 competition, but the schools brought even more pupils with 205 boys and 174 girls. Fifteen Sports Leaders from The Valley Leadership Academy also helped run the activity.

There was lots of mud, some pupils lost their footwear while most finished with mud splatters over their shirts and shorts – but all had beaming faces.

Like all competitions, there was a top three for both races but special mention has to go to Year 4 Haslingden Primary School pupil Rosalie. She is registered visually impaired, yet was able to complete the run thanks to her mum Claire Brooks-Burnett and Sports Leader Rosie Lynch from All Saints who ran alongside her.

Claire said: “This is only the second RSSP event Rosalie has been involved in due to her SEN needs, but they were amazing with her. She finished 166th out of 174.”

Hares for the race were again Alice Carr and Lyla Duffy from All Saints and Harry Hopkins and Francis Vidler, from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.

Nathan said: “We have had so many comments from parents following this event. Many said their child had
not tried cross-country before but they couldn’t wait for the next event.

“Hopefully we will have even more children now joining the weekly Park Run at Victoria Park in Haslingden every Sunday or going to Rossendale Harriers which also meets at Marl Pits. That is what these events are all about – getting children to try out new sports.

“Whether you were the first runner back or the 205th it really didn’t matter. Every single runner was cheered on by the crowds.”

Winners: Boys: 1. Archie , Haslingden, 2. Arlo, Balladen, 3. Terence, Water.

Girls: 1. Sophie, Edenfield, 2. Maya, Broadway, 3. Ophelia, Stubbins.

Overall school winners: Girls: 1. Broadway, 2. St James the Less, 3. St Veronica’s, Boys: 1. Haslingden, 2. Water, 3. Stubbins.

Nearly 750 young people from Years 3 to 6 were involved in the two cross-country competitions.