For sporty primary school children, teachers and parents in Pembrokeshire, all roads led to Oakwood Theme Park in Narberth on Wednesday, October 25, for the 2017 staging of the Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships, which has continued to be organised by Pembrokeshire Harriers and supported by Sport Pembrokeshire department where athletics is this year a priority with the council.

The Pembrokeshire event followed on from the bumper turnout seen at the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships last month where hundreds took to the course at the showground in Nantyci. Coming as no surprise, Oakwood had the same excitement and success.

The event was held at the second time of asking after poor weather the previous Thursday resulted in the original date being postponed on the morning. Despite this, organisers were lucky to be able to hold it before the half term holidays. The course was situated on the field near the entrance to the venue overlooking the many attractions and activities on offer at Oakwood Theme Park. Once again, Pembrokeshire schools supported and competed in their numbers in what is now one of the biggest and most attended sporting events in the county.

In its 27th year by now, the championships has been led by Pete Freeman who was involved in the very first race in 1990. The race originally was held at Haverfordwest Racecourse, then Haverfordwest Rugby Club before moving in recent years to the fantastic facilities available at Oakwood.

Race organiser Pete Freeman, was pleased with how everything went.

He said: “After calling off the previous Thursday, it was a rush to then re-arrange for the following Wednesday. To get over 1,000 young athletes to compete was very rewarding. Many thanks to the Oakwood management, all volunteers and the youngsters for making the event a resounding success.”

A number of schools were represented and between the eight races, a large number of 1,037 children finished and crossed the line, totalling over 2,000 at the districts’ two events in a matter of weeks. Year 3 athletes in particular, got their first taste of a proper competition and were able to watch the upcoming future athletics stars in action.

Races were open to anyone in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at primary school age. The course was split into two - Year 3 and 4 ran one big lap, while the Year 5 and 6 children completed one small and one big, with the route ideal for families and friends to spectate and support. After the heavy rain the day before, the field was wet and cut up easily especially as the races got towards its conclusion; however, it was clear that all those taking part enjoyed themselves in the mid-week afternoon sunshine.

Medals and awards were given out to the winners at the presentation area on completion of all the races, with trophies up for grabs for all the team winners (three athletes in a school to score). The team winners on the day came from six different schools: they were Milford Haven Juniors, Saundersfoot, Fenton, Mary Immaculate, Roch and Gelli Aur.