How we started!
The Schools Cross Country Championships are a long-running primary schools event in West Berkshire and North Hampshire, delivered by Team Kennet Athletics & Triathlon Club and supported by schools, volunteers and local sponsors. Learn more about Schools Cross Country.
The Primary Schools cross country was originally set up by three primary schools on an invite only basis held at Goldwell Park at Northcroft. In 1998 it was handed over to Nick Bull who took this on himself and moved it to Henwick Worthy Playing fields for this year which involved same schools up to 2001 when the invitation was sent out to all schools in the area. By 2008 the numbers had increased to a point where the event outgrew this venue, so in 2009 it was moved to Newbury Racecourse.
This proved a great venue for parking and was spectator friendly but due to building works at the racecourse the event was moved to Newbury Showground in 2014 where for the first time finisher numbers went past 1000. Since then the event has grown and now has over 50 schools represented and nearly 1600 finishers, making it one of the biggest events for Primary School Children in the UK and is West Berkshire’s pinnacle event of the year.
2025/2026 Summary
| Category | Details | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Number of runners | Girls | 669 |
| Boys | 770 | |
| Total | 1439 | |
| Number in each race | Race 1 | 314 (88 teams) |
| Race 2 | 379 (110 teams) | |
| Race 3 | 355 (70 teams) | |
| Race 4 | 391 (74 teams) | |
| Number of schools | Total schools represented | 51 |
The Quadkids event was set up in 2009 in Wiltshire and here we took it on to deliver an event in West Berkshire on a trial basis in 2009. This event was restricted to 20 schools only and proved very successful. The old Newbury School Athletic Association amalgamated with Schools Network (James Mandry) and Nick Bull to relaunch the Athletics in the area.
2010 was the first West Berkshire Quadkids Competition held at Park House School in Newbury. 2012 was Olympic year in the UK, a special event was put on involving 30 schools and launched the Olympic build up in West Berkshire, since then the event has steadily stayed the same with numbers.
2024 summary
| Category | Details | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Year groups | Year 3/4 | 280 (27 teams) |
| Year 5/6 | 251 (27 teams) | |
| Total athletes | All year groups | 531 |