HUNDREDS of sporty youngsters were given a taste for cross-country as they dashed across the city.

Magdalen College School teamed up on Wednesday with Oxford City Council to organise its first inter-school cross-country event featuring a string of competitive races.

More than 200 runners representing 13 schools from across the county gathered at Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground for the first Oxford City School Races event.

Organiser James Eve, who is head of English at Magdalen College School, said: “I have always wanted to organise a cross-country race.

“I love the idea of getting loads of schools from the local area to come together and compete. It does not often happen. It was about trying to get a bit of enthusiasm back for running and cross-country in the area.

“I thought it was a good way to resurrect that sort of schools competition which seems to have disappeared. There was a really lovely atmosphere, really competitive but fun. It felt like a very positive thing.”

Mr Eve said he was inspired to call on secondary schools across the country to join the event after taking part in races himself from the age of 10.

He said he remembered the excitement and ‘total chaos’ of taking part in his first event, which he wanted young people in the county to experience.

Mr Eve added: “In every race, there would have been kids who maybe competed for the first time and I remember what that’s like.

“There’s a real thrill of discovering something you like and are good at and how that feeds into the rest of your life.”

Youngsters between 11 and 18 were cheered on by crowds of spectators as they made their way around the sports ground.

Schools competing included Cheney School, Cherwell School, Didcot Girls School, Carterton School, St Birinus School, Abingdon School, Burford School, St Edward’s School and Headington School.

The event came after a successful test was held in January, involving about six of seven Oxford secondary schools and about 80 runners.

Mr Eve said he hoped the event will become an annual fixture within the school calendar and more students will put their best foot forward next year.

He said it was important for his Cowley Place independent school to work with other schools across the county and enjoy the sport together.

Mr Eve added: “We are lucky that our school is well-resourced and we are able to put on an event like this. I think it’s important to reach out to other schools.”

Mark Lygo, city council board member for leisure, sport and events, said: “The city secondary schools cross-country race was a great example of partnership working, in this case from Magdalen College School, to bring communities together.

“The city council is keen to promote sport across Oxford, for the proven physical and mental wellbeing it can provide.

“We work with sports groups to provide the best sports facilities we can in Oxford to make sure that taking part in sport is a weekly activity and accessible to everyone in the city.”