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Published: June 13th 2008
Oamaru Regional Cross Country Meet
Sydney representing Mountainview as the only senior girl!Fitness is quite important in New Zealand. Each of the schools - primary and secondary schools - have an annual cross country day event. Everyone in the school is expected to participate even if you walk and the majority of them do at some point. Teachers also participate either as runners or marshals on the course. Generally, the courses are 5-6 K for the older kids and an abbreviated course for the younger ones.
Sydney had the opportunity to go to a regional cross country meet the day before her school event. This was quite a run for a girl who is from sea level and had not been training. She was also the only senior (grades 11-13) girl from Mountainview High School to compete. There were several junior girls (grades 9-10) and several boys in both catagories. There were 13 schools that participated and the event was held an hour away in Oamaru.
The very next day - June 5 - Mountainview had their school cross country day. After having run what Sydney ran on Wed, it was a challenge to have another 5K race. She did take part and only walked a portion of it. This event is much
Oamaru Regional Cross Country Meet
Check out that hill! It is even steeper than it looks! more laid back. The school is divided into 3 houses of which every student is a member of either Hiwi, Moana or Whanau. They ran for their houses and wore their house colors - either yellow, red or blue. Again, it was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to have a great time. Notice the gorgeous views from her school!
On June 10, Highfield School had their cross country at the Centenial Park in our neighborhood. Because of the snow over the weekend, it was quite muddy, but luckily the snow had melted. I believe the boys said there was an icy patch at one point on their course. The day was sunny and beautiful. Avery was quite excited about this event and had been practicing for weeks. He was determined to get third in his class behind Cameron and Hemi. Graham was more laid back about it and just wanted to have fun. They started out with the youngest children who ran a short lap and worked up from there. I think the classes were staggered about every 10 minutes. Avery was so psyched as he came in 2nd in his class. Check out his finish with only one
Oamaru Regional Cross Country Meet
Sydney checking out the course map. shoe! He refused to let me tie his shoes tighter before the race began. Graham came in with all his buddies. The first lap he was ahead of most of his friends but slipped on some mud, trying to pass on the wrong side and opted to hang back with his friends. Both boys had a great day and were really tired and muddy after the event.
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