PARWICH.ORG

Our latest roving reporter Nia is back by popular request:

Fast on the heels of Children’s sports night comes another nerve testing night for parents. First we have to start carbo loading the evening meal for 4 days beforehand and on the night it is a fine balance of eating the right sort of food (slow energy release….) at least 2hrs before they set off. Try getting an over excited child to eat at 5pm when all they want to do is practise their sprint starts and elbow barges!

There is now a great entry from the infant class with the girls all having `gentleman’s` agreements to run together. The boys have a slightly more win at all costs approach. The junior class have a good idea of each others’ potential and have their eyes firmly on the opposition. With no money but fabulous trophies and shields going to the top 3 local boys and girls there is a lot at stake.

The starting line up was buzzing with excitement. Surely Alexander D must be 17 by now or he has been down the gym a lot as no 14 yr old should be that tall and long legged! Little girls holding hands and swearing to help each other ascend the big hill. An interesting collection of running clothes was on show. The full well turned out runner look was on full show, the `I’ve just got back from school and I’m not changing` look made a real come back and then there were the carefully put together racing princess outfits.

On the word GO the children surged forward, trampling over each other in the rush to get to the front. Worried parents were already questioning their parenting skills as they watched their offspring whiz down the road and head ever upwards as the rain clouds gathered menacingly overhead. 

Then we all went to the pub or the burger bar convinced we had at least 20 mins before a mere child was able to get up the hill and back into the village! This meant that we were all sheltering from the rain which had decided to wait until all the children were half way up the hill before it dumped itself on Parwich. Glynis was into her 2nd hot dog as Alex came steaming round the corner to a fantastic victory and she couldn’t push her way out from the crowds jostling for shelter to cheer him on!

The battle for 2nd place almost had me calling for an umpire’s intervention as Rannoch and Olly were neck and neck but couldn’t find the finish line as the rain was literally obscuring everyone’s vision. Then they just continued to flock in. Absolutely soaked to the skin and running for their lives (or the warmth of the pub and the promise of a go on the fair ground rides). The children of Parwich are a real inspiration to us all. They gave it their all, the girls still looked as beautiful as they did when they started, and the boys are real plucky little fighters. Bertie L and Jacob B need a manager to manage their future as those 2 boys are born runners! I was so proud not only of my 4 but of all the kids who ran and the attitude they have and the fact that they all REALLY ENJOYED IT !!!!!

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