Saturday afternoon saw perfect running conditions for this year's House Steeplechase, with the weather remaining dry and clear. The recent rain had made the ground a little soft underfoot and there was quite a breeze at times, but the new course ensured everybody was excited and really keen to give the races a go! The afternoon kicked off at 1.45pm with the juniors race. Thank you to all of the year 3 pupils who had given up their Saturday afternoon, in order to run and a huge well done to all the boys and girls in years 3 and 4, who set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Their training in games had paid off and all of them coped easily with the demands and length of the course. The supporters were excellent as ever, encouraging them over the straw bales, stile and through the water jumps and tyres. The top 5 athletes were as follows:
Junior Girls:
1st - Francesca R (Nelsons); 2nd - Gabrielle H (Nelsons); 3rd - Morgan G (Nelsons); 4th - Hattie N (Churchills); 5th - Annie M (Pitts)
Junior Boys:
1st - Jack W (Wellingtons); 2nd - Shea J (Pitts); 3rd - Joshua G (Nelsons); 4th - Russell F ( Wellingtons); 5th - Henry W (Churchills)
The two middle races were next, with the year 5 and 6 boys and girls, not only having to cope wih the stile, but also a circuit of the sledging field, complete with very curious sheep! They all took it in their stride and still had enough energy left to battle it out in the final sprint for the finish. The top 5 middle athletes were as follows:
Middle Girls:
1st - Imogen N (Churchills); 2nd - Tara O'R (Nelsons); 3rd - Lily H (Wellingtons); 4th - Evie D (Churchills); 5th - Amber H (Nelsons)
Middle Boys:
1st - George W (Wellingtons); 2nd - Ludo L (Churchills); 3rd - Sam W (Churchills); 4th - James L (Pitts); 5th - Henry L (Wellingtons)
The senior girls ran the furthest, with two circuits of the course. All of them coped really well with the length of the course and were determined to finish the race with style.
The senior boys course was slightly different, but still long. True Anselmian spirit was displayed on so many occasions throughout the afternoon; with the pupils entertaining younger siblings; encouraging each other, particularly those who were finding it tough, or who had run extremely well; running to fetch ice packs for those who needed it and take them back to them on the course; but the highlight had to be the grit and determination displayed by David, who finished the senior boys race surrounded by a entourage of boys and girls from a whole range of year groups, keen to share his triumphant and proud moment. A superb run by Elliot T earned him a well deserved first place in the senior boys' race, really digging in to stretch the lead from Bertie S on the final lap. Well done to you all and thank you to everybody who supported throughout the afternoon. The top 5 senior athletes were as follows:
Senior Girls:
1st - Jessica RS (Pitts); 2nd - Arabella H (Nelsons); 3rd -Georgia R (Wellingtons); 4th - Elfie CE (Pitts); 5th - Emily A (Churchills)
Senior Boys:
1st - Elliot T (Churchills); 2nd - Bertie S (Churchills); 3rd - George M (Churchills); 4th - Charlie S (Churchills); 5th - Theo H (Wellingtons)
Finally, a huge thank you to all of the S. Anselm's staff from the games, medical, catering, admin and faacilities teams, for helping to prepare for the races, ensure they all ran smoothly and the results were recorded accurately and assiting with the dismantling of it all afterwards.
So which house won overall? It was an incredibly close competition with all of the runners contributing to their houses' results. The result will be announced by Mr Northcott in assembly Monday........................
Posted on
Sun, November 27, 2011
by DLB