PRIMARY and high school children tackled mud, tree roots and rain as they tackled the opening round of the 2021 Neville Jones Warrington Schools Cross Country League at Walton Gardens on Saturday.

These are 17 of our favourite pictures from the morning's activities taken by Mike Boden.

1.

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Trying to decide the best way to start the race

2.

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Slippery conditions left a quite a few runners hitting the deck

3.

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It's a race all the way to the finish

MORE: Video and pictures of the girls' year 4 and 5 race

VIEW: Video and images from the year 6 girls' race

WATCH: Footage from the boys' year 4 and 5 race

SEE: A clip of action from the year 6 boys' race

4.

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"Can you seem them yet?"

5.

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Lots of concentration on these faces

6.

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They're trying their best to catch you!

7.

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A huddle and cuddle in the Walton Gardens rain

8.

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Smiles for the winner of this particular race

9.

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Her hair bounced with her around the course

10.

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"Go on sunshine, keep going!"

11.

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"Watch out, I'm coming through"

12.

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"Catch me if you can, lads, I'm off!"

13.

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Enjoying supporting the action, despite the rain

14.

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Staying focused on the tricky surface

15.

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A squeeze on the start line

16.

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"Watch out for the photographer, don't knock him over!"

17.

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Tick-tock, tick-tock, timekeepers keeping an eye on things

More pictures, videos and the results to come as the week unfolds