Compass U10 & U11 X-C

The Compass School X-Country Run
Neilson Park, Haddington
Wed 4/3/09

A late change of venue due to snow and ice at Preston Hall saw the U11 and U10 teams compete over two laps of the park on a cold but sunny afternoon, perfect for running.
There were seven schools (21 runners) in each race.

In the U10 girls’race, Zinnia led at a fast pace from the start, with Rosie in about 5th and Miranda a little further back. On the second lap, the girls ran hard and, in the final run-in, Zinnia was just pipped into 2nd place by a strong St George’s runner, Rosie was 3rd and Miranda 4th, for a score of 9 points which gave Belhaven 1st place in the team competition by a comfortable margin. So very well done all three girls!

The U10 boys were next up: George set a very fast pace from the off with Freddie and Jock further down the field. By the end of the first lap, there were only two boys fighting for the lead and it went down to the wire, George finally edging out the Merchiston runner, for a really gutsy win! Meanwhile, Freddie kept up and finished 11th with Jock finishing in 15th place, having slightly misjudged his pace. Belhaven gained 3rd place in the team competition. Well done all three boys!

It was now up to the U11 girls to take up the challenge, which they did magnificently. Emilia soon took up the lead, followed by Jemima in about 8th and Cassia a little further back. For the second lap, Emilia just kept her pace high to ensure victory, Jemima ran a great tactical race and clinched a superb 3rd whilst Cassia showed great determination to hang on to 8th . A total of 12 looked pretty good but St George’s just edged it and won with 11points! So bad luck but very well done the U11 girls on finishing 2nd!

And so to the U11 boys: Jamie hared off round the first bend closely shadowed by a strong-looking Edinburgh Academy runner; Angus and Hughie were already some distance back by that stage. At the front of the race, the tussle continued until Jamie slipped on one of the corners; he picked himself up quickly enough but the effort he then put in to catch up with the leader was to cost him the victory as he was just outsprinted at the death and finished 2nd ; a tremendous effort nonetheless. Meanwhile, Angus finished 11th and Hughie brought up the rear in 16th place. Overall the team gained 4th place. Well done the U11 boys!


MR