Hundreds of pupils compete in Invergordon at Ross-shire Cross Country Championship
The 2025 Ross-shire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships took place at Invergordon Academy with over 300 athletes from across the area taking part.
Conditions could not have been better for the races as a large crowd watched on to see who would be crowned our new champions for 2025.
The event format enabled an opportunity for individual and team prizes to be won with pupils representing their primary school.
The girls race started proceedings, and it produced a fantastic sprint finish where both athletes almost crossed the line at the same time.
The pair led the race from the mid-way point and as the race reached its conclusion, they nearly collided coming down the final hill in their determination to be crowned champion.
In the end Eilidh Hume from Ben Wyvis edged out Alexandra Gunn from Inver with Eden Lipovska finishing a few seconds back in third place.
Inver, Hill of Fearn, Culbokie, North Kessock and Dingwall all won their respective groups and were presented with team prizes.
Taking motivation from watching a superb girls' race, the boys set off at a frenetic pace where a small group began to push ahead as the race progressed. There was once again a close battle for the top 3 places as the race was keenly contested right to the line.
Victory was claimed by Mackie Henderson who was followed by Alex Harrison and Harris Macdonald who were second and third respectively.
Once again Inver and Hill of Fearn claimed the team prizes which signed off a very successful afternoon for the Easter Ross schools. Amazingly, in Group C, three schools were separated by just two points. Hilton of Cadboll were a very unlucky 2nd behind both Kiltearn and Culbokie who shared the trophy on 74 points. Avoch and Knockbreck were the Group A and B winners.
Race organiser Blair Mackay was delighted to be joined by Scottish Internationalist and local junior athlete Lachlan Thomas to present the trophies at the event. He said: “I was delighted to see so many schools making the effort to get their pupils to the race today. It is vitally important that children are given opportunities to compete and achieve success.
“I was delighted with the effort, determination and high quality running I saw today. My thanks go to those who supported the organising and running of the event today and my congratulations to everyone who took part.”