Hundreds of primary school pupils competed in the hugely successful Rossendale Cross Country run.

The event organised by Rossendale School Sports Partnership and held at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall saw year 5 and 6 pupils from 27 schools from the borough take part.

The top 25 runners in each group will compete in the Lancashire final at Witton Park, Blackburn on June 6.

School Games Organiser Nathan Bibby said: “It was like a stampede when they all set off.

“We had 163 girls and 185 boys in two separate races running the 1.5-mile course. With teachers, support staff, parents and sports leaders we must have had 600 people at Marl Pits.

“There were 12 sports leaders from The Valley Leadership Academy and All Saints RC High School and they were all absolute superstars, helping to set up the course and to marshal, giving encouragement to the young runners and making sure they were safe on the course.”

Nathan was joined by his dad Andy, head coach for Preston Harriers, along with Steve Duxbury from Rossendale Harriers.

Steve also brought along volunteers from Rossendale Harriers and last year’s winners were lead hares for the runners to chase.

Alice Carr, from All Saints, led the girls’ race while Lyla Duffy was the back marker, also from All Saints.

For the boys, Harry Hopkins and Francis Vidler, both from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, were the lead hares while Alice and Lyla were the back markers.

Nadya Carter, Thorn Primary School's PE subject leader, said: “The sports leaders were fantastic and so encouraging. They cheered everyone on from the first to the last and made every runner feel like they were doing a great job.

“They were really good role models.”

Sports leader Amy Vince, 13, said: “I was near the top of the hill making sure everyone stayed on course and cheering them on to encourage them.

“My position was near the end and when there were runners who were tiring, I would say, ‘You can do it guys, you are nearly at the end,’ and give them words of encouragement.

“Being a sports leader gets people into sport and you help people to understand different kinds of sports. I want to be a pilot in the RAF and I am in the Air Cadets.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Dan of St Peter’s RC came through as the Boys winner

Cross country Year 5/6 individual results Girls: 1. Elsie, St James the Less RC, 2. Ivy, Helmshore, 3. Thea, St Veronicas RC. Boys: 1. Dan, St Peter’s RC, 2. Seth, Helmshore, 3. Alexander, Edenfield.

Cross country Year 5/6 team results, the top three finishers per school count. Girls: 1. St James the Less, 2. Helmshore, 3, St Veronica’s. Boys: 1. St Peter’s, 2. Helmshore, 3. Crawshawbooth.