by Martin Jefferies

Competition was fierce but friendly as hundreds of children battled it out in one of the area's biggest school sports contests.

The first Thanet Primary Schools Cross-Country League meeting of the year attracted a bumper field of 830 children, representing no fewer than 28 local schools.

The autumn challenge, organised by Thanet Roadrunners AC, was held at Newington Community Primary School, with proud parents and grandparents and excited brothers and sisters lining the grass course.

Results

Year 3 Girls (1k)
1st Beth Williams (Dame Janet) 4 mins 14 secs; 2nd Maisie Macartney (Minster) 4:26; 3rd Mia Hillyard (Palm Bay) 4:28

Year 3 Boys (1k)
1st Henry Mileham (St Nicholas-at-Wade) 4:02; 2nd Benjamin Davis (St Saviour's) 4:04; 3rd Cameron Macrae (St Nicholas-at-Wade) 4:05

Year 4 Girls (1k)
1st Laura Parrish (Upton) 3:56; 2nd Kate Burton (Upton) 4:04; 3rd Cara Payne (St Nicholas-at-Wade) 4:18

Year 4 Boys (1k)
1st Alex Kavanagh (Dame Janet) 3:43; 2nd Harry Lutz (St Saviour's) 3:46; 3rd Alfy Warren (Monkton) 3:47

Year 5 Girls (1.5k)
1st Hannah Denny (Upton) 5:54; 2nd Morgan Theodosiou (Upton) 6:07; 3rd Georgia Debling (Upton) 6:12

Year 5 Boys (1.5k)
1st Matthew Bouldin (St Saviour's) 5:36; 2nd Caine Moir (Garlinge) 5:40; 3rd Joshua Oliver (Haddon Dene) 5:43

Year 6 Girls (1.5k)
1st Kelsey Fuss (Upton) 5:11; 2nd Alice Fox (Upton) 5:36; 3rd Tanya Bailey (Palm Bay) 5:50

Year 6 Boys (1.5k)
1st Alasdair Kinloch (Upton) 5:00; 2nd Lewis Parrett (Haddon Dene) 5:21; 3rd Billy Munday (Upton) 5:22