Runner boy

The kids had their cross-country today, and both did really well. Missy-moo (seen here running joyfully) tells us she came fourth - that being despite running clutching a bottle of "Quench" and taking time to drink the entire thing during the course of the two laps, and being tripped over, losing a shoe and having to put it back on.

Rather impressive, I'd say.

Now, mister. Seen here coming back after completing most of his first lap. Since getting third place after trotting round last year's cross-country he'd been revving himself up to get first place. He did, in fact, cross the finish line first. He will not, however, be getting any placing. He came to the finish line, where older children from the previous race/s were lined up; being the lad that he is, he quietly stood in line. 5 seconds later (my photos have exif data) three other boys from his year arrived, and went to stand next to that line. In the kerfuffle and chaos of so many kids and so few teachers, they mistakenly sent him away after doing all the places for the older kids, and counted the other young boys as 1st to 3rd in the lad's year.

Poor thing was inconsolable - "they won't give me my ribbon!"

We're torn, but in the end decided we didn't want to be "those parents" making a big stink (over the year 1 cross-country result) - most particularly for the effect that might have on how the wee man is seen by others at school.

So I made him his own prize ribbon, talked about effort, satisfaction, mistakes, and unfairness, and he now seems quite happy.

We're still grumbly about it though.

Large, you can more readily see the leg of the boy who it would seem will be awarded first place.

I suppose there is an outside possibility that three or more boys were so far ahead that we didn't even notice them. But no. And also, the three that followed our boy to the finish line were kept in line there - as happens for the place-getters. So no.