FRIDAY 13th proved anything but unlucky for nearly 600 children from across Bracknell Forest when they took part in the annual cross country relays event at South Hill Park.

Last year’s event was severely disrupted by stormy weather, but this time conditions were near perfect for the runners.

The senior schools were first to take on the 920-metre meadow and woodland course around the park.

Edgbarrow A set the early pace from Ranelagh A, maintaining a lead of about 20 seconds through the first two legs.

A brilliant third leg by Ranelagh put them briefly in the lead, but Edgbarrow re-exerted their authority in the second half of the race to win by just over a minute.

Garth Hill A were in third place but then entered an arm wrestle with Ranelagh before eventually finishing one second behind in third.

Last year Ascot Heath dominated the junior races, winning all four. However, teams had done their homework this time and were determined to break that trend.

Ascot Heath were going well in the Girls B race, but some fantastic running by both Whitegrove teams saw them build up an unassailable lead.

The Whitegrove C team gradually increased their lead to win by over two minutes, whilst their B team held off a late charge by Ascot Heath to take silver.

There was a complete reversal of fortunes in the Boys B race. Whitegrove B led at the first handover, but Ascot Heath B were soon at the front of the field and they managed to hold onto the lead for most of the race.

Whitegrove briefly went ahead towards the end of the first half of the race, but Ascot Heath were soon back in front, holding on to win by just over 10 seconds.

Whitegrove’s C team won the battle for third place, with Cranbourne B, Crowthorne B and Binfield all running well.

Some great running in the B races had set the teams up nicely for the A races. The girls set off first, with Ascot Heath chased all the way on the first leg by the spirited Crowthorne team.

Ascot Heath fell back during the second and third legs as Whitegrove charged into the lead, with Crowthorne still maintaining their challenge.

The middle part of the race was completely dominated by the youngest runners from Whitegrove who opened up a healthy lead.

Cranbourne also ran well in the middle of the race and, with Ascot Heath regrouping, those teams led into the last stages of the race. Whitegrove ran superbly in the final two legs. winning by well over a minute. Ascot Heath took second and Cranbourne held on for third.

Wooden Hill came through to take fourth and Crowthorne’s brave challenge saw them finish fifth.

By the time the Boys A race came round there was vociferous support from their team mates as all of the others that had already run.

The race set off at a frantic pace and at the end of the first leg just a minute separated first from last.

Ascot Heath had their noses in front from St Michael’s, Sandhurst, Great Hollands and College Town.

Normal service appeared to have resumed for Ascot Heath as they proceeded to lead the race throughout.

They were never a huge distance ahead, but maintained form to win by about 10 seconds.

There was, however, some fascinating racing further down the field.

St Michael’s held on to second place until the end of the third leg, before College Town made their move, with Whitegrove also moving ominously through the field.

Unfortunately, the St Michael’s challenge faded a little as College Town and Whitegrove took up the race for silver.

Whitegrove were just four seconds behind at the final handover, but College Town held them off to take second place with Whitegrove in third.

Sandy Lane and Binfield made a late charge for fourth and fifth, whilst St Michael’s secured sixth.

At the end of the racing, Bracknell Forest Mayor Dee Hamilton congratulated the teams and presented their medals.