Students thrive in Rochester PS cross country

By McPherson Media Group

Jun 23, 2020

On Wednesday, June 17 Rochester Primary School held their first whole school cross country.

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Traditionally the school holds an event for the Grades 3 to 6 students at Rochester Golf Course.

But this year, with restrictions around being able to leave the school, this was not possible.

However the school was determined to give the children an opportunity to participate in the run and so it marked out a 500 m track within school grounds, having students run between buildings and near the school boundaries.

Having the event at school provided a great opportunity to have everyone involved, with the Prep to Grade 2 students loving the chance to join the older students in the run.

The weather was perfect, and the children enthusiastically competed in the run.

It was fantastic to see so many kids trying their absolute best.

The enthusiasm of the younger students and the excitement that the older students had having the opportunity to run with their ‘buddies’ meant that the school is keen to make this an annual event.

Prep students ran 500 m, Grade 1 students ran 1 km, Grade 2s ran 1.5 km, students aged 9 or 10 years ran 2 km, and those aged 11 or 12 years ran 3 km.

The best times were then submitted to School Sport Victoria's Victorian Primary Schools Virtual Cross Country.

It is also hoped that students who have qualified get the opportunity to run in the Campaspe cross country later in the year.

This event was scheduled for term 2 but had to be postponed.

First to finish the 2 km race was Asher Rasmussen in a blistering time of 8 minutes and 47 seconds.

First to complete the 3 km track was Cale James, with a fantastic time of 13 minutes and 56 seconds.

Other winners for the day for each year level (boys and girls) were:

Prep: Noah McGowan and Ariah Mundie.

Grade 1: Cooper Rasmussen and Riley Town.

Grade 2: Walt James and Aliza Beer.

9-year-olds: Asher Rasmussen and Jasmine Watson.

10-year-olds: Charlie Watson and Jorja Lethlean.

11-year-olds: Cale James and Cadence Major.