More than 170 kids from 11 schools around the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa took part in the annual Kerikeri and Districts combined primary schools cross-country on Tuesday.
The 2.4km course around Landcorp's Kapiro Station, on the way to Takou Bay, featured an uphill slog, a gully and plenty of mud to test the kids. Organiser Dave Kirkland, a PE teacher at Riverview School, said it was great to see children trying their best and all local schools participating. St John volunteers were on standby while parents kept supporters supplied with coffee and cake.
The schools taking part were Bay of Islands International Academy (Te Tii), Hato Hohepa Te Kamura (Waitaruke), Kaeo Primary, Kaikohe Christian School (Kerikeri Campus), Kerikeri High, Kerikeri Primary, Matauri Bay, Opua Primary, Oromahoe, Riverview Primary and Springbank.
