MOUNT Kelly hosted earlier this month some 140 pupils from eight local primary schools for the Newton Cup, a cross country event for children aged 8-11.

The visiting primary schools included St Andrew's Buckland Monachorum, Trekenner, Shaugh Prior and Cornwood Primary Schools, Hyde Park, Whitchurch, Horrabridge, Tavistock and Lew Trenchard.

The many visiting children and Mount Kelly runners were cheered on by accompanying staff and parents with more than 200 visitors on site. The event consisted of four races in total, for the boys and girls in the U9 category, and boys and girls in the U11 category. Each team consisted of at least eight runners, with the first four to finish determining the team score overall.

The mile long cross country route at Mount Kelly is a demanding one with a number of hard hills and inclines, but all runners tackled the course with determination and enthusiasm.

Organiser Earl Newton, a teacher at Mount Kelly Prep, said: 'It is great to see so many pupils here today out running, and I'm delighted that the chilly weather hasn't dampened the children's team spirit! This is the second year I have organised this race and it is certainly a highlight of the cross country calendar.'

After all races were complete medals were presented to the visiting runners who won their race and the visiting team.

U9 boys, Whitchurch Primary School; U9 girls: St Andrew's School, Buckland Monachorum; U11 boys, St Andrew's and U11 girls, Horrabridge Primary School

St Andrew's School, Buckland Monachorum were the winners overall and who were the proud recipients of The Newton Cup.