Auckland Secondary Schools -Woodhill

The final round of the Auckland Secondary Schools Cross Country brought the series to an end at Woodhill forest on the weekend. The sand base trails were in great condition after the rain and Jafakids head coach, Jesse, had marked out an awesome race course.

Photos thanks to Nigel Crags

After a short start loop, we entered the 'Up Lands' trail which snacked its way to the top of the hill and highest point of the track. I was glad to get over the top of the climb and drop into the tight technical 'Tree Huggers' trail. This is one of my favourite trails, not only because it goes downhill, but it is also so much fun when you get a good flow round all the corners. The race track then took us half way up 'Link' and then into 'Goldilocks'. The track then weaved its way back down to the event village along 'Big Mummers Tail.'
It was great to see such a big turn out at the last round of the series, with guest riders come up to race from Tauranga. There must of been around 100 riders and that meant there were heaps of spectators. The atmosphere was really awesome with heaps of support trough the event village and out on the track.
After a fourth at the first round at Sanders Reserve and then taking the top points after finishing first behind a guest rider in the muddy Riverhead round I was up for an overall podium position.

On the last lap one of my competitors that would effect my overall placing caught up to me. Elliot Wright flew past me up 'Up Lands'. I pushed hard but could not keep him as close as I would have liked. Trying to keep my focus and flow down 'Tree Huggers' I managed to Catch Elliot. I cased him up 'Link' and we ended up making up a place, passing one of the Tauranga boys. I wanted a sprint finish, but in the end Elliot started pulling away from me towards the end. He took third place by a few seconds in front of me. Tom Coombs had finished first and Cody Langford in second.
It was so much fun having such a close race and even though I finished fourth on the day I place third overall in the series.

3rd, 2013 XC Auckland Secondary Schools :-) 

Great results all round for the Jafakids taking a place on every podium. Also a solid result from my Michael Park School team mate and brother Liam taking 2nd in the under 15's!
Another successful series thanks to all the organisers and volunteers, I look forward to next year!