Two major summer sporting events have been hosted for hundreds of Thanet’s young athletes by Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.
Three hundred competitors lined up for the annual Waterloo Trophy that celebrates the British victory against France at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815..
Local primary schools entered three-person teams who each ran 800m before passing the baton on to their next runner. There were separate races for girls and boys representing Years 3 and 4, and then Years 5 and 6. Upton swept the board in all four races, sharing gold with St Joseph’s in the girls Year 5/6 race.
A further six hundred runners entered the Upton Cross Country, including almost 100 participants in an infants’ competition that took place before the main event.
There were medals for all runners and many strong performances from the hosts. The first race of the day was the Year 3 girls’ that saw Tess L take the gold, followed by Chloe F and then Ivy J, all from Upton.
In the Year 3 boys, Max J from Upton continued his running progression by taking the gold while in the Year 4 girls’ race Esme Gabriel finished in second place, just pipped in the final straight. Year 4 boys was a clean sweep for Upton as Orlando W again led comfortably from start to finish, Charlie H taking second and Fraser P with the bronze.
The Year 5 boys’ race saw another clean sweep for Upton. Bertie T was fast out of the blocks into the lead but was reined in by Noah T and Jude J. Noah took the gold, Jude was second and Bertie third.
Year 6 girls saw a first ever win for Lexi W, who went out hard and held off the chasers, while in the Year 6 boys Fadi EG led for most of the race before being overtaken in the finishing straight by a very fast finishing runner from St Joseph’s.
Deputy Head of School Dave Walker said: “It is a great privilege to stage these events every year.
“There are always strong runners but more pleasing is those who just come to get involved and have a go. That’s what sport is about.”
Head of School Darci Arthur agreed: “These are fantastic well-organised events and it is a pleasure to invite children from around the district to our playing fields for these annual summer meetings.
“The standard is always high but most importantly it gives all the competitors the chance to take part in a large sporting community get together.”