By Jennifer Rosewarne
A little rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of Muskoka’s most enthusiastic runners. The Hoya Hills cross-country running meet, held on Thursday, Sept. 26, is in its 22nd year and running the races has become a rite of passage for many students. More than 600 runners took their mark the morning of the meet, 160 of them from Riverside Public School alone.
The event owes part of its success to its scenic location—Arrowhead Provincial Park—but also to many dedicated volunteers, community coaches, teachers, and passionate Huntsville High School (HHS) athletes.
The HHS cross-country team carries the day along, creating routines to warm up bodies, and cheers to keep spirits high. The meet is a unique opportunity to bring the community together, mixing elementary races in the morning with secondary races in the afternoon.
Top finishers for the elementary meet were: Aedan Gallagher, grade 1-2 boys; Addilyn Niemi, grade 1-2 girls; Kyliam Colombe, grade 3-4 boys; Soleiah Oke grade 3-4 girls; Jimmy McLaren grade 5-6 boys; Kristen Marshall grade 5-6 girls; Oliver Collins, grade 7-8 boys; and Leah Richter grade 7-8 girls.
HHS coach Catherine Smith says that there are many beautiful things about the day. “It introduces young kids to the running community while giving high school students a chance to host a race.”
Her partner and community coach Pierre Mikhail agrees, adding that “cross-country running is all-inclusive. It isn’t a sport where anyone gets cut.”
Sam Richter, grade nine student, thinks it is simpler than all that. “It’s a day off school and the chance to run a great course.”
Top 10 runs from the HHS Hoyas were celebrated by Sam Richter, Ben Shearing, Mya Marshall, Chloe Punkari, Emma Elliot, and Cam Heinz.
Novice and Junior girls placed second as a team, and the Senior boys finished first. The team is going strong, competing in meets this week and next.
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Sandy McLennan says
Congratulations, organizers and runners. A terrific tradition