March 2025 Report

The dust has settled (or rather, the mud has dried) on another Thanet Primary Schools' Cross Country event. As ever, I'm extremely grateful to the management of Quex Park Estates for making their meadows available and welcoming us so warmly onto the site yet again.

Schools have already received the results, (which are also accessible via the QR code on each runner's finishing card.) Thank-you to all the many school staff who helped recruit runners, process entries and support the children on the day.

A huge number of other thanks are also due. Not least, to our magnificent team of teenage 'hares' (strictly in alphabetical order) - Danika, Emma, Franklin, Gabriella, Jenny, Louis and Naomi. They somehow managed to pace, nudge and cajole almost 800 children to complete the course to the best of their individual abilities. (I would have raised my hat to them on Saturday if I hadn't forgotten to bring it and got myself a sunburnt head!)

Some of our volunteer marshals arrived in darkness to set up and were still there packing away long after the final runners were safely back home with their feet up. I'm not sure that the new adminstrator of Thanet Passport imagined he'd be helping us push an eight-seater taxi out of the mud within minutes of arriving for his first Quex Park Cross Country, but sometimes that's just how it rolls!

I would heartily recommend all of our service providers to anyone who is planning a future event: Nigel and his crew from the Sign & Safety Co managed the traffic flow and parking admirably in very challenging conditions. Mark at Ramsgate Trophies calmly managed my very late confirmation of numbers. Amy, Joe (and family) from A Down Catering kept the tea flowing and the bacon sizzling. Emily and her crew from Margate Ambulance Corps had a mercifully quiet day. Paul from the Fresh Toilet Company delivered and collected efficiently and at a reasonable price.

We are scheduled to return on Saturday 4th October 2025, by which time, of course, the current Year 6 children will all have moved up to their respective secondary schools.

Running needn't stop just because they leave primary school. There are opportunities for all age groups, so stay in touch to keep informed of when and where they are.