Heated competition at Beavermead Park
Catholic school board crowns winners at cross country meet
The vibrant foliage indicated fall, but the temperature felt like summer as more than 70 students from 32 schools took part in the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board’s annual cross country running meet on Tuesday.
Organized in boys and girls categories, runners from Grades 4 to 8 competed on a one-kilometre route in Beavermead Park that took them across the soccer fields and through the adjacent campground before finishing near the park entrance.
Grades 3 and 4 runners completed a single loop, while Grades 5 through 8 completed the circuit twice in two-kilometre races. Many were visibly exhausted at the finish line — the temperature reached a high of 26.6 C on Tuesday and felt more like 35 C with the humidity.
The board-wide event included at least two students from each school — more if teams fielded top finishers during family of schools-level competitions held the past two weeks, co-convenor Anne-Marie Condon said.
Educators want participants to compete and improve their personal best, but also have fun with their friends at the same time.
That message was delivered often to racers at the start line by Jenn Fisher, before she signalled them to “Ready. Set. Go!”
The principal at Lindsay’s St. John Paul II highlighted what a great introduction the cross country meets provide to an exercise that requires no equipment and greatly promotes wellness and self-regulation.
“Running is a replacement for medication. It’s so good for the soul,” she said.
Makenna Kubica, a Grade 5 student at École Monseigneur Jamot, agreed a few minutes after finishing fourth overall in her race.
“It keeps me fit. And it’s fun,” she said, pointing out that the warm weather and increase in skill level among competitors from her family of schools event last week were big factors in Tuesday’s races. “It was a lot harder than last week.”
Moments before her race, St. Paul School (Lakefield) Grade 7 student Emma Strano said she was nervous, but excited.
She enjoys running — which helped her when she played soccer and as she takes the ice with the Peterborough Ice Kats.
During family of schools competition last week, Strano finished second, but said her main goal was to finish Tuesday. She finished third.
Condon thanked the many volunteers who helped make the meet happen, including those from Rhema Christian and St. Catherine schools who set up the track.
NOTE: Results at www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com.
RACE WINNERS:
• Grade 3 girls — Alexa Strano — St. Paul Lakefield
• Grade 3 boys — Wesley Elliott — St. Catherine
• Grade 4 girls — Charlotte Connell — St. Luke
• Grade 4 boys — Anthony Faraco — Monsignor O’Donoghue
• Grade 5 girls — Kennedy — Good Shepherd
• Grade 5 boys — Brayden M — Mother Teresa
• Grade 6 girls — Rhaea Flint — St. Catherine
• Grade 6 boys — Nick Fournier — St. Paul Peterborough
• Grade 7 girls — Isabella Bowen — Immaculate Conception
• Grade 7 boys — Carson Campbell — St. Mary Campbellford
• Grade 8 girls — Grace Murphy — St. Paul Peterborough
• Grade 8 boys — Evan Modere — Good Shepherd