MORE than 700 pupils took part in the Stirling Schools Cross Country Championship, marking the return of the event for the first time since 2020.

Organised by Active Stirling as part of their Active Schools programme in Stirling, pupils from both primary schools and secondary schools took part.

There were four events in the morning, with P6 boys, P6 girls, P7 boys, P7 girls competing individually. The afternoon consisted of eight events: S1 boys, S1 girls, S2 boys, S2 girls, S3 boys, S3 girls, Senior Boys and Senior girls.

Angela Hunter, active schools manager with Active Stirling, said: “It was excellent to get this event back up and running and even better to see the support from schools and teachers to enable so many young people to take part.

“The day was an enormous success – thanks to our team of Active Schools Coordinators for organising and to our Active Stirling Colleagues and volunteers for their support.

“Also, thanks to Bannockburn High School and the clubs based in Bannockburn & Eastern Villages Sports Hub for the use of the facilities and to Provost Dodds for taking time out of his busy schedule to support the day and present pupils with their medals.”

Every athlete was allocated a score based on the position they finished: 1 represented first, 2 represented second and so on.

The top 20 pupils in the primary races and top 10 from secondary have qualified and are invited to represent Stirling in the Forth Valley Schools Cross Country Championships, to be held in West End Park, Alloa, on Thursday, March 9.

Councillor Douglas Dodds, Stirling Council’s Provost, said: “It was a pleasure to attend the Stirling Schools Cross Country event and present the athletes with their medals.

“There was an impressive turn out of students from our primary and secondary schools and I would like to praise the effort, dedication and endeavour of everyone who took part, as well as those who helped with the organisation.

“It was great to see our young people engage in the event so wholeheartedly and I hope it inspires a lifelong love of running and physical activity.”

To find out more about Active Schools in Stirling, or to volunteer, visit activestirling.org.uk/services/active-schools.