A record 600-plus children competed in an annual cross country championships hosted by Gresham's School at Holt.

Eastern Daily Press: Leader of the pack - action from the cross country races for youngsters from all over the region held at Gresham's School, HoltLeader of the pack - action from the cross country races for youngsters from all over the region held at Gresham's School, Holt (Image: Archant)

The eighth running of the event attracted 31 schools, predominately primary schools, from across Norfolk taking part in four races for under nine and under 11 boys and girls.

Eastern Daily Press: Girls' race - action from the cross country races for youngsters from all over the region held at Gresham's School, HoltGirls' race - action from the cross country races for youngsters from all over the region held at Gresham's School, Holt (Image: Archant)

The course took them over some of Gresham's rugby fields and through the woods where they all emerged in the hope of securing a good finishing time for their schools.

Event organisers, Richard Brearley, deputy headmaster of the prep school, said: 'I am delighted to see so many schools competing. This year saw a record entry of 636 competitors.

'Everyone completed the course which is impressive and says a lot about the determination and enthusiasm of the children competing. There were some fine individual performances by a number of runners and all are to be congratulated on their efforts.'

The outstanding performance on the day was by Ziggy Lampton from Colchester High School who won the under 11 boys' race in a new record time of six minutes.

Sports development director for Gresham's, Steve Adams said the school was committed to providing access to its facilities through a variety of initiatives which have also included the setting-up of a Tennis Club in Holt, activity camps and various sporting events held throughout the year.

Team results

U11 Boys – 1, Gresham's Prep School; 2, Corpusty Primary School; 3 Sheringham Primary School.

U11 Girls - 1, Norwich High School; 2, Sheringham Primary School; 3, Gresham's Prep School.

U9 Boys - 1, Gresham's Prep and Pre-Prep Schools; 2, Sheringham Primary School;

3, Fairstead House School.

U9 Girls - 1, Norwich High School; 2, Gresham's Prep and Pre-Prep Schools; 3, Corpusty Primary School.

Individual results

U9 Boys - 1, Tom Ellis, Great Dunham Primary School; 2, Innes O'Malley, Astley Primary School; 3, William Cator, Notre Dame Prep School.

U9 Girls - 1, Ella Spear, The Free School, Norwich; 2, Iris Harmer, Dersingham St. George's; 3, Lexie Smith, Sheringham Primary School.

U11 Boys - 1, Ziggy Lampton, Colchester High (new record); 2, Findlay Spear, The Free School, Norwich; 3, Matthew Waller, Corpusty Primary School.

U11 Girls - 1, Grace Forster, The Old School Henstead; 2, Eve Harmer, Dersingham St. George's; 3, Rosie Booth, Dersingham St. George's.