Junior form students do better than seniors at cross-country races

The bustle of students in the playground built up as the school's 20th cross-country races were about to begin.

The playground was packed with runners and helpers.

There were 650 participants. Participants were doing warm- up exercises and teachers and student helpers had everything well-prepared.

I could only see confidence and energy on their faces. When the principal fired the starter's gun to herald the opening of the competition, more than 40 Form Five to Seven boys sped off on the 6,000-metre event.

They had to resist the temptation of getting a cold drink from the 7-Eleven store, otherwise they would be disqualified.

Smiles on competitors' faces were hard to find as sweat rolled down their cheeks.

Passers-by glanced at them and wondered why this group of students was running outside the kindergarten, tennis court, school and car park.