Brilliant sunshine and picturesque views greeted our students on Friday, 6 March as they battled over the undulating terrain that is the Te Atatu Pony Club and our Perennial venue for the Rutherford College Cross Country Day.

Throughout the afternoon we had year 9, 10 and seniors compete, or leisurely stroll, around our 2km course. We even had visiting Japanese students participate as well.

The usual suspects battled it out upfront in the Year 10 and senior races. Harry Chapman, Hannah Taylor, Jessica Williams and Jesse Schwalger being crowned our Cross Country Champions in their respective races. The Year 10 Girls race was especially close with 4 seconds separating the first four runners! Jessica, Keira Schriefer (2nd), Lucinda Hill (3rd) and Emma Chapman (4th) sorting themselves out down the final straight.

Michael Stuart was able to break away from Blair Deo and Jack Leslie to claim the Year 9 Boys crown, as the other two took second and third respectively.

The day started with the Year 9 girls, and from this has risen a promising athlete for present and future. Zara Wihongi had won the 3000m on Athletics Day, and she continued her winning stretch by striding out and taking out this title as well.

There were many commendable performances by students and teachers that participated. An enjoyable day made successful by the coordinated support of our teaching staff to herd the students successfully and safely from and to the school grounds, as well as the support and organisation of our Sports Committee. Final thanks must go to the Te Atatu Pony Club, and the students who are members of the club, for assisting with the safety of the horses and providing a wonderful facility for the event to be run over. I am sure the students appreciated the slither of country life experience while dodging and evading across the fields.

Well done to everyone who participated, and thank you for a fun day.