Several hundred primary school children enjoyed a day on their bikes for the annual Alexandra ‘Top Bike’ event run by Sport Central and Cycling Southland yesterday (Tuesday April 4).

The day's activities included a mountain bike team time trial, a challenging skills course and a 400m grass track race.

 Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Jo Knight said teamwork was a key theme of the day. 

Watch Jo talk about the skills the children were putting into practice here.

Clyde School’s Meg King, Bailey Thomas and Charlotte Crosbie (all 12) said the mountain biking was heaps of fun

Children in years five to eight from primary schools in Central, Queenstown and Wānaka all attended the day.

Central schools which fielded teams (made up of six boys and girls) were Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School, Clyde School, Cromwell College, Poolburn School, Goldfields School, and Cromwell Primary.

Lots of parent volunteers and teachers from the schools contributed to the day running smoothly.

One of The Terrace School (TTS) teams at the mountain bike start line

Jo said the secret to having a good time on the mountain bike event was for the team to stick together as the time was taken when the final rider crossed the finish line. 

APS nine years olds Harper, Sophia and Freya enjoyed the obstacle course and the ramps

Year five and six Goldfields School students hop on their bikes before their time trial

Poolburn School listens to a briefing on the course loop

Spot prizes were awarded for teams which displayed sportsmanship and teamwork.