Last Saturday, five pupils represented Abingdon and Oxfordshire at the prestigious English Schools’ National Cross Country Championships. The event returned to popular venue Sefton Park in Liverpool. Following some carbohydrate loading at the local Nandos, and an overnight stay at Warrington Premier Inn, glorious sunshine greeted the runners on race day. Despite such a wet winter, the parkland course was in excellent condition.
Harry (Third Year) raced first in the 3200m Junior Boys race. After a demanding start, where Harry was required to hurdle a fallen runner, he finished in 218th place. The field sizes here are the largest of any event at junior level with as many as 350 runners representing their counties. Previous winners include the stars of the English distance running scene. Edward followed in the 5000m Inter Boys and came 188th. The final race of the day was the Senior Boys who covered 6000m. Monty finished 45th, Harry 217th and Ralph 294th. Oxfordshire Team Manager and Abingdon Coach Dan Studley commented, ‘It was fantastic to see Abingdon contribute a quarter of the Oxfordshire team at such a high-profile event. This has been an excellent season for the club. Thank you to all of the Upper Sixth for their commitment over the years. l look forward to seeing Abingdon athletes compete on the track next term’.
