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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.  (more…)

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Many thanks to Nia for the following (I can only second her thanks to the Wakes organisers, who are putting so much work into the smooth running of the Week.  Each year I enjoy Wakes more than the last, how do they do it?):

Finally the weather was on the side of the children as they all gathered on a beautifully prepared race track (well it had been until Sunday evening and then the moles got to work… ). The crowd were in fine vocal form and the children put in final practise sessions and honed their techniques for the wheel barrow and 3 legged races.

As in previous years it was always going to be difficult to spot the winners without TV aided photo finishes, so there were numerous spotters on the final tape to ensure that the first 3 over the line received the all important brown envelope and that everyone else was placated with a sweet. Many of the children had been told that if they wanted to go on the fair they needed to win money to pay for it so there was a lot at stake as the children lined up and waited for Dennis to utter the `GO` word.  (more…)

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