Theo Machin-Paley is the early pace-setter in the Islington Schools Running League after winning the opening race of the boys’ Years 7-8 competition.

Machin-Paley, who represents Stoke Newington School, completed the double circuit of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a time of seven minutes 25 seconds – well clear of his rivals.

St Mary Magdalene Academy duo Luke Moulton and Bedo Draskoczy headed the chasing pack in second and third places respectively – even though their time of 7:44 was matched by Theo Leany of St Aloysius’ College in fourth.

The initial team standings are led by St Mary Magdalene, with Stoke Newington second and St Aloysius third.

St Mary Magdalene featured strongly in the girls’ race, taking three of the first five positions, but top spot went to Anoushka Minale of Mossbourne Academy, who sped to victory in 8:46.

She finished well clear of Stoke Newington’s Lara Saiz (9:44) in second place, while Thea Aubery-Gimenez (9:51) held off team-mates Nicole Campbell (9:58) and Efeona Agbede (10:16) to secure third.

There was a far closer finish in the boys’ Years 9-11 race, where Adam Bessadi of Islington Arts and Media School edged out Mossbourne Academy’s Luca Minale for a winning time of 6:42.

Minale (6:46) was followed across the line by third-placed Marcos Amanuel of St Aloysius – who lead the way in the team standings – in 7:05.

Felix Waters ensured a winning start in the girls’ Years 9-11 section for defending champions Mossbourne Academy, scraping home in 8:02 – just one second ahead of Stoke Newington’s Lily McKay.

The battle for third place was nearly as tight, with Mossbourne’s Robine van Doorne (8:55) edging it ahead of Mia Oyesiku of EGA School in 8:57.

The next race in the series takes place at the same venue on Monday December 12.