3 March 2017
The weather this year for our annual Inter House Cross-country was as expected; windy and soft ‘under-foot’. The event ‘kicked-off’ with all of the Pre-Prep running in the Under 7 race over 500m. This was won by Ted (Year 2) followed closely by Jed (Reception). Jed who is still only in Reception is definitely a future star in the making. Karthik (Year 2) finished in third place.
In the Under 9 race (1525m) Sam led from the start and stretched his lead throughout the race. Josca and Patrick finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
The Under 11s (2025m) was also a ‘classic’. Quinn (Year 6) went out hard from the start and we all wondered whether he could maintain this phenomenal pace and hold off a chasing Joseph. The final result was, Quinn (1st), Joseph (2nd) and a very pleasing 3rd for Jacob. Quinn equalled William’s (2016) record of 6:57.
Our ‘grand finale’. The Under 13 race (3050m) contained no less than four Oxfordshire County Cross-country runners (Rowan, William, Johnny and Thomas) and a number of other runners with a fantastic running pedigree. Rowan and William showed their ‘class’ finishing in 1st and 2nd place respectively. But the 3rd place was more uncertain. Johnny finally chased down a determined Oscar to finish in 3rd place. Not to be outdone by his brother, Rowan broke Henry's (2015) record in a time of 10:48.
The top six finishers in the Under 11 and Under 13 races will now go on to represent Abingdon Preparatory School in The National Preparatory Schools’ Cross-country Championships (Malvern School) on Sunday. The Under 11 team will look to defend their National title while William competes as the reigning National Under 11 individual champion. Both Rowan and Quinn go into the competition with a real chance of winning their individual races. We wish them the best of luck!
