Our cross-country running club was formed in the third week of September. Students from grades four to eight signed up to train for the purpose of improving their personal level of conditioning. We worked out during before and after school sessions, performing a variety of training methods from circuit training to sprinting up and down hills to simply running for distance. Everyone was encouraged to run at their own pace to the best of their ability.

The club practiced through all sorts of weather conditions be it a light drizzle, winds, cold temperatures with frost on the ground and yes, we also had many sunny warm days to enjoy. We ran on our school grounds, the adjacent park and the forest area across the street from our school.

After several weeks of training, club members who were interested in trying out for the actual school team did so in a competition.

Those who were fortunate to make the team competed at the Family Championships at Centennial Park in Etobicoke on Friday October 14, 2011.

All of our students were able to complete the gruelling course which included a climb up a ski hill, thus achieving their goal of finishing the course in the best time possible. One of our runners, Romeo, did so well that he qualified to compete at the Board Championships at Heart Lake Conservation Area on October 25, 2011.

At the "Boards" Romeo placed 58th out of over 100 competitors; a wonderful personal achievement.

We are most proud of all of the members of our cross-country club for their perseverance and dedication to this often challenging endeavour. They ran with smiles on their faces and always looked forward to the next session. Their positive attitude and sense of spirit served them well in achieving success in their much improved fitness levels.