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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - Deh Gah school and Fort Providence were host to more than 250 cross-country runners ranging from ages five to 50 last Friday for the annual territorial cross-country meet.

Organizer Greg Reardon said 18 schools participated in the day-long event.

From left, Zander Affleck, Brusson Washie, Joseph Lirette and Lucas Hachey fiercely compete during the juvenile male category at the cross-country meet this past Friday in Fort Providence. - photo courtesy of Yvonne Reardon

"It went extremely well," he said.

"We started about a half an hour late because we had to wait for some of the schools to get here but once things got going it went off without a hitch."

People said the trails were in great shape and almost along the professional lines of cross-country trails. Reardon said with the good weather they had throughout the event the quality of the trails didn't diminish too much.

"It was cool and a bit ... breezy, but otherwise great," he said. "It was a bit buggy but there isn't much you can do about that."

Reardon said it was great to see the community come together to help make the event go as smoothly as it did.

"High school students and community members came out and volunteered," he said. "It was really nice to see."

At the end of the day, students of Diamond Jenness school from Hay River walked away with the overall total points and the territorial cross-country banner. Sir John Franklin and Princess Alexandra finished second and third respectively.

Athletes competed in nine divisions with both male and female groups in each division. Besides the competitive divisions there was a recreational bracket as well.

Reardon said it was fantastic to see so many people of all ages coming out and being active.

"The physical aspect was great, getting kids and adults alike out and being active. It was great that we could host a one-day event and have so many people come out and participate. It was a great way for people to get out and meet new people."

This was the second time Reardon had organized the event, the first time being in 2004, only a month after he had moved to Fort Providence.

"It was quite stressful the first time I did it but this time I was able to improve on what I did the first year," he said. "It wasn't as stressful this time around, but my head is still spinning from the event."

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Top 10 schools in Cross-Country meet

Diamond Jenness - 107

Sir John Franklin - 77

Princess Alexandra - 75

Joseph Burr Tyrrell - 64

Ecole Boreale - 55

Deh Gah school - 53

Thomas Simpson - 48

P.W. Kaeser - 47

Range Lake - 42

Mildred Hall - 33