Results of Warrington schools cross country at Walton Gardens

As the popular event organised by Warrington Athletics Club unfolded with a new name, format and course after a one-year gap forced by the coronavirus pandemic, runners were roared on by hundreds of family members and friends as they completed various circuit lengths of Walton Hall and Gardens in different age groups.

First to tackle the shortest 1.4k course, which was muddy and slippery in places on a rainy morning, were the year 4 and 5 girls.

Pippa Wall (Culcheth Community Primary School) was the winner in 6mins 30secs, followed over the line by Amelia Johnson (St Philip Westbrook C of E Primary School) in 6mins 38secs and Beth Lowe (St Monica's Catholic Primary School) just behind in 6mins 39secs.

Beth led her team to first place on 38pts, ahead of Culcheth 53pts and Christ Church C of E Primary School on 94pts.

Watch video footage of the year 4 and 5 girls' race

In the year 4 and 5 boys’ event, Eddie Walker (Cherry Tree Primary School) was a narrow winner. He clocked 5mins 59secs to finish four seconds ahead of Ashton Illingworth (Great Sankey Primary School), while Cormac Kennedy (St Monica’s) was third in 6mins 09secs.

Eddie also steered his team to first place on 32pts, with Culcheth second on 36pts and St Monica’s third on 43pts.

Watch video footage of the boys' year 4 and 5 race

Esme Forbes (Woolston Church of England) ran from the front from start to finish to win the year 6 girls’ race in 8mins 24secs but was being closed down towards the end by Eva Hayes (Broomfields Junior School) who recorded 8mins 28secs and Eva May Williams (St Wilfrid's CE Primary School) who was third in 8mins 31secs.

The team event was won by St Monica’s on 26pts from St Philip 48pts and St Peter’s 89pts.

Video coverage of the girls' year 6 race

Training partners Euan Lawton (Great Sankey) and Oliver Davenport (Croft Primary School) set out on a battle from the gun in the year 6 boys’ race over a 2k course.

Euan proved to be the stronger on the day as he came home in 7mins 25secs, with Oliver crossing the line in 7mins 41secs and Jake Harrison (Cherry Tree) taking third in 7mins 59secs.

St Wilfrid’s were the winners in the team event on 42pts, ahead of Culcheth 78pts and Woolston third on 143pts.

Watch footage of the boys' year 6 race

High school students from years 7 to 11 all ran in one race for boys and one for girls, over a 2.8k distance, with the age groups split for individual results but combined for team results.

In the girls’ race, Emily Kinsey (King's Leadership Academy) was first in year 7 (third overall) in 12mins 39secs with Orlaith Clarke-Malone (St Gregory’s Catholic High School) second (seventh overall) in 13mins 43secs and Emma Whiston (Great Sankey High School) third (10th overall) in 14mins 11secs.

Imogen Wharton (Cardinal Newman Catholic High School) won the girls’ race overall and her years 8 and 9 age group in 11mins 50secs

Ellie Barker (Sir Thomas Boteler C of E High School) was second overall as well as in the same age group with 12mins 37secs. Hannah Hull (King’s) was third (fifth overall) with 13mins 23secs.

In years 10 and 11, Molly Wormald was first (fourth overall) in 13mins 20secs with Evie Owen (Beamont Collegiate Academy) second (sixth overall) in 13mins 37secs and Mary Barker (Great Sankey) third (eighth overall) in 13mins 45secs. Great Sankey were first in the team event on 50pts followed by Bridgewater High School on 68pts and Beamont, third, on 72pts.

Joe Welsby (Lymm High School) was first in the boys’ year 7 race and third overall with his 11mins 36secs, while Archie Corby (Bridgewater) was second (10th overall) in 12mins 37secs and Dylan Langley (St Gregory’s) was third (14th overall) in 13mins 23secs.

The years 8 and 9 race brought a triumph for Matthew Seddon (Cardinal Newman), who was first in his age group and second overall in 11mins 24secs.

Bridgewater’s Euan Flannery was second (fourth overall) in 11mins 42secs, just pipping Tom Welsby (Lymm), who was fifth overall, in 11mins 43secs.

In years 10 and 11, Great Sankey’s Ben Pucill was first in age group and overall in 11mins 05secs, with David Baker (Lymm) second and seventh overall in 12mins 11secs.

Tony Madew of Great Sankey was third (11th overall) in 13mins 04secs.

The team event was won by Lymm on 21pts, ahead of Bridgewater on 31pts and Great Sankey on 79pts.

Rounds two and three are scheduled for November 20 and December 11, respectively.