Walhampton Perry Dalziell Cross Country

The Event - Information for Schools

Walhampton School is delighted to invite local schools to take part in the 45th annual Perry Dalziell Cross Country event on Wednesday 12th March 2025 held in the Walhampton School grounds.  

Those of you who have joined us for this event in the past will testify to the warm welcome, fun competition and camaraderie that this event offers. As the Director of Sport at Walhampton this will be my first experience of the Perry Dalziell and I am excited to welcome you all.

The Competition

There is no limit to the number of children racing in each age group team, only the first four children from each school will count towards the team score. Medals will be presented to the first, second and third place finishers and a team shield for each of the different age groups. Teams entering all six age groups will be eligible to win the Perry Dalziell Trophy. If your school would like to join us for the event please complete this entry form no later than 1st February 2025.

The Course

The cross country route is grass and gravel tracks, the recommended footwear is trainers with good grip. Please note that due to the recent high levels of rainfall the course is wet and muddy in places. 

We are eager to avoid any confusion over the route/course layout. In an attempt to simplify this we are using two courses only, one for the Year 4 children and then an extended route around both lakes for Year 5 and Year 6. The course will be well marshaled by Walhampton staff and Year 8 pupils with temporary metal fencing to block off any paths that are not being used. You are welcome to arrive early and walk the course at 1pm, but we are confident that the measures above will alleviate the need to do so. We do ask if you are walking the course prior to the race, pupils must be accompanied by a member of staff from the visiting school (not a parent), the group remain together and that you arrive in plenty of time to complete the walk without delaying the start of the first race. The Year 4 route is approx 1 mile, the Year 5 and 6 route is approx 1.4 miles. We will also have a ‘hare’ for each race to help guide the children.

Timings 

Schools have the option of arriving at 1pm to walk the course prior to the race. We do ask if you are walking the course, pupils must be accompanied by a member of staff from the visiting school (not a parent), the group remain together and that you arrive in plenty of time to complete the walk without delaying the start of the first race. 

Optional Course walk through - 1300

Arrival Time (not walking the course) - 1330

Staff Briefing - 1345

Year 4 – 1400

Year 5 – 1430

Year 6 – 1500

Presentations (Terrace) - 1530 - 1545

Spectators

Spectators are more than welcome to come and cheer on the runners. Please could we ask that all spectators enter through the middle gate which is found half way down the drive. There will be marshals and signs to show them the way. They will then follow a simple sign in process. 

Final Details

Final details including parking  information and maps of the detailed route will be posted as we progress towards the event on this webpage in February however in the meantime if you have any questions please email the Director of Sport, Richard Harrison-Poole on  r.harrisonpoole@walhampton.com.