The new K:A Leisure sports facility in Quarry Road was the location for the first ever primary schools Cross Country Relay Championship.

This joint venture led by North Ayrshire Athletics Club, the leisure trust and the council's Active Schools team, saw 16 schools from all over North Ayrshire take part.

The event was open to primary 5, 6 and 7 pupils with each school entering a male and female team of three from each year group.

Just under 300 young runners took part in the event last Friday. The 1.5km was run by each pupil in an exciting relay format.

The overall school winners were St Luke’s who had entered strong teams across all six races which dominated many and winning half in the P5 boys, P6 girls, P7 girls.

Other race winners included Caledonia in the P5 girls race, St Peters P6 boys and Annick P7 boys. The second school overall was St Peters closing followed by Annick then Glebe.

The event is one of number of opportunities for primary school age children to take part in athletics throughout the year. The sport has become much more popular in North Ayrshire with the rise in prominence of the club who continue to perform well on the national stage.

Next up for local primaries is the indoor school sports hall at the Portal followed early in the new year with the cross country league at Jacks Road playing fields.

The Jacks Road Junior Parkrun is a free weekly timed 2k race for primary school aged pupils (four-14) and is a great stepping stone into the club and a training aid for the forthcoming events.

Check social media for more information on this and other opportunities to take part in athletics.