Twenty-six girls from Year 5 and Year 6 braved the weather to take part in the first stage of the annual Sport Cardiff X-Country Challenge at Llandaff Fields on Wednesday 11th October. This year saw the change to a longer, more demanding course for both year groups which really tested their stamina and perseverance. Year 6 ran first, with all 11 girls impressively completing the 2km course and finishing within the top 57 places in a race of over 100 girls. Amber P led the way, finishing 3rd overall and closely followed by Carys H (5th), Grace C (8th), Frankie J (10th), Isabella C (11th) and Amelie L (17th) all inside the top 20. Year 5, spurred on by the performance of the older pupils also ran superbly in another busy race of over 80 girls. 15 pupils finished the 1.6km course inside the top 59, with Carys M (1st), Isabella P (2nd), Tallula C (4th) and Georgie H (5th) dominating the top positions at the finish line. Daisy Mo D (12th) and Sophie D (16th) also finished inside the top 20, in what was arguably the best set of performances ever by a Howell’s Junior School team at a X-Country event. Although the official results have not yet been released, it is likely that both age-group teams have been successful in winning this stage and will progress to the next event after the half-term break. We look forward to running again! All finishing positions can be found in the table below: