Running in the Rain

Day 12 of my blogpost a day August challenge

Every year about this time the local primary schools kids take part in the Taniwha Challenge. This combined schools cross-country event is hosted by one of the country schools further west from here, (Te Horo at Pipiwai) and kids from at least 8 of the nearby rural schools attend. 

It's a great community event where locals gather and catch up.

And cheer the kids on of course!

We had five grandies running so it was a full on family affair.

To save time and hopefully beat the rain, the girls and boys races were combined.

Blonde Kaliah and Saydee neck in neck the whole way until Kaliah had an extra burst of speed at the end!

George in the green and red — 

— and Xavier, blonde in the blue, were in the same race, and not too far apart —

Odie, running his first race, ran in the pouring rain, but had a good run too.

We were so proud of them all, not because they all finished within the top 8 (!) but because they all tried so hard, and ran their very best.

Being winter/early spring it's usually wet for this event and today was no exception! Not cold though.

With the exception of 2 grandies (one in Hawaii so a good excuse) and YD at work, our whole family was there - running or supporting. So in spite of the rain and the mud, it was a fun day (we were home by 1pm).

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn