Every one a winner at School's Cross Country Challenge

The annual Be Active Cross Country Race organised by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council took place in Downpatrick last week.

Over four hundred P7 pupils from 96 primary schools across the district all converged in Dunleath Park for the eagerly anticipated race. While the event was competitive, with prizes awarded to those placed in the top six boys’ and girls’ individual races, runners were encouraged to try their best and go at their own pace.

School teams were also awarded top positions and St Patrick’s PS, Crossmaglen and Carrick PS, Burren ranked first and second in both their boys’ and girls’ team races. These achievements then contributed to Carrick PS being awarded Best School in the girls’ race and St Patrick’s picked up Best School in its boys’ event. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Gareth Sharvin said, “The 900 metre route around Dunleath Park was a great introduction to cross country running and I was delighted to see so many enjoying the experience. 

In total 467 boys and girls from across the district came to Downpatrick to take part in the event, which was a fantastic response and shows the commitment of our local primary schools to put the health and fitness of their pupils at the heart of the curriculum."