Schools' cross country
Thursday 23 December 2010
Welsh Schools has announced plans for a special celebration at its National cross-country championships on 16th March 2011, to mark fifty years since the first event was staged – but the association would also welcome help from anyone who can recall information about the leading pupils at past ‘Nationals’.
Newly installed Chairman, Kath Elias, was delighted to report that, thanks to continuing sponsorship from Aviva, the 2011 event will be a ‘Golden Celebration’ event.
Kath Elias said,
‘Our first event, for two boys’ age groups, was staged at Newtown on March 4th, 1961. We have come a long way since that first event, adding competition for girls and extra sections.’
‘Over the years, thousands of pupils have competed, and, in a normal year, we expect around 500 children to represent their districts at the fixture. Because of the later February half-term, the 2011 championships, which will be the 49th because snow forced the cancellation of the 1965 event, and there were foot & mouth restrictions in 2001, will be staged on a Wednesday for the first time, March 16th.
‘We have plans to mark this Golden Celebration event on the day, but we need help from all sections of athletics in Wales with one of the key elements.’
‘In the special programme, we want to include details of the leading athletes in every race that has been staged. Sadly, our records in some years, particularly from 1961 to 1972 and in 1982, are very limited – and in 1970, an important year because a middle age group was added for the boys and two races for girls were held for the first time, there are no results available.’
‘We are working hard, and have produced two files – one covering the period 1961 to 1974, and the second providing details of the top ten athletes in each race (except for 1982) from 1975 to 1996. The third file, covering 1997 to 2010, is still being finalised.’
‘The first two files are being made available as downloads, and we would very much appreciate that word of their availability is made known to as many people as possible.’
‘We would appreciate as many former participants, and county and district team organisers as possible having a look at the results.’
If any reader can help, please get in touch with Kath (she can be contacted via the club; where she is the membership secretary).
A history of the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships can be viewed by clicking on SCHOOLS HISTORY.