Schools on the run to help Cazfest and Grove Cottage

HUNDREDS of young runners stepped up to the mark when Bishop’s Stortford Running Club held its annual schools challenge at Grange Paddocks.

Runners on the start line

Pupils from the town’s primary and secondary schools took part in one-, two- and four-mile races on Sunday to help raise funds for local charities Cazfest and Grove Cottage.

In the Key Stage 2 mile event, the fastest boy and girl, Daniel Evans and Emma-Louise Wacey, came from Summercroft Primary, while Manor Fields won the team event.

Hockerill Anglo-European College student Rory Sale was quickest in the senior two-mile race, while Danny Beazley won the four-mile open event.

Cazfest, set up in memory of Little Hadham teen Caroline Johnstone, campaigns to roll out heart screening for youngsters across Herts and Essex, while Mencap-backed Stortford centre Grove Cottage helps people with learning disabilities.The total raised has not been counted, but is thought to be about £1,000.

RESULTS: KS2 mile, boys – 1st Daniel Evans (Summercroft) 5 min 56 sec, 2nd Cameron Hoskins (Edwinstree, Buntingford) 5:58, 3rd Harry Senior (Manor Fields) 6:12, 4th Adam Johnson (Manor Fields) 6:14.

Girls – 1st Emma-Louise Wacey (Summercroft) 6:51, 2nd Lila Gneiting (St Mary’s, Stansted) 6:58, 3rd Zara Byng (St Andrew’s, Much Hadham) 7:15, 4th Olivia Curtis (Manor Fields) 7:15.

Team – Manor Fields (Harry Senior, Adam Johnson, Freddie Griffiths, Henry Eaton).