The last time we were able to take part in the Saturday morning Market Street Athletics event was June 2019. We managed to get a second place that year and the year before in 2018. Athletics Silver Medal!

A few months ago we took part in some trials from year 3-year 6 and it was clear there was some real talent throughout the school; as well as a really tight group of athletes.

As the event drew closer the children were practising throwing javelins, running 600m and passing on batons. Wednesday night they took home their kits and although there were some nerves and last minute changes to the squad, the children were very much looking forward to it.

It was a really well organised event and it got off with a bang as our girls relay team took to the track for the first race and won their heat by some distance: Ariella (y3), Olivia (y4), Isla (y5) and Amelia (y6). This seemed to settle the nerves (including mine) and we could all enjoy the rest of the morning.

It was a real rollercoaster of a morning but we managed to get onto the podium an impressive 8 times with 5 gold medals from: Ariella, Olivia and Isla in their sprint races (each of them now crowned the fastest child in Bury!) and also a gold for Rosie’s amazing javelin throw as well as a gold for the above relay team that went onto win their final by some distance too!

We also had bronze medals for Harry’s sprint in year 5, Billy’s javelin throw and a fantastic silver for Abigail’s javelin throw in year 6 too. 

Some other highlights and point scorers (top 6 out of the 18 schools earn points for the team) Rowan’s 4th place in the year 6 600m and Maizie’s 5th place in the same event, Tom and Finley came 5th with a shot putt and long jump respectively and Tom R, Amelia came 6th in her sprint and Tom also got 6th with a javelin throw!

A huge thank you to the whole squad and a special mention to the following that stepped in last minute due to illnesses and prior arrangements: Jonathan and Maizie with tremendous 600m runs, Finley’s long jump and relay 100m leg and Abigail and Tom with their long jumps and shot putt respectively.

All in all, it was a wonderful occasion to see 18 schools come together and involve approximately 20 children from each school’s years 3,4,5 and 6. Which means around 400 children were able to enjoy the experience. A huge thank you to Ben Coop and Bury Athletics.

When they announced the results at the end St. Joseph’s and St. Bede’s were third, well done to them and we managed to retain our runners up shield – which makes it three years in a row! Congratulations to Hollymount for winning the event once again!