Abingdonian 2018

23 www.abingdon.org.uk Lent Term and Rowan Miell-Ingram qualified to run for Oxfordshire at the prestigious event. The team travelled up to Temple Newsam Park in Leeds in mid-March just as the Beast from the East was taking full effect. The athletes woke up to a bitterly cold day with snow on the ground and driving wind across the exposed course. The conditions made the course brutally tough with steep climbs and descents and thick mud to sap the energy and slow even the fastest of runners. The boys competed valiantly and went home exhausted but satisfied with their performances on the day. During the Michaelmas Term the junior cross country squad entered the English Schools’ Cross Country Cup and embarked on a journey that would eventually see them stand shoulder to shoulder with the fastest runners in the country. The county round of the competition was held at Blessed George Napier School in Banbury. Abingdon finished in first position with four athletes crossing the line within the top 10 finishers. Callum Aiken raced superbly finishing in fifth position overall, helping his team qualify for the regional round. On a classically wet and gloomy November morning the mood was subdued on the minibus as we drove through the wind and rain. Fortunately, as we approached Lincroft School in Bedfordshire, the clouds parted and winds dropped to leave pleasant conditions, albeit a little greasy underfoot. The 2.8km course had a mixture of both playing fields and even a farmer’s field to negotiate. The pace set was ferocious from the start, with only Callum Aiken able to stick with the front runners. As the pace settled, the junior team paced themselves well, finishing strongly and in third place collectively. This performance earned them a place in the national final, a first for Abingdon School in this age group. This race took place at Sevenoaks School in Kent and the course encompassed every aspect of a true cross country race; A flat start before competing for position at the first corner, including undulations to break the rhythm of even the most experienced runners, steep ascents and descents, technical woodland, and of course muddy sections to test even the tightest of spike laces. The junior athletes arrived early to walk the course and soak up the atmosphere. After a thorough warm up the team were ready to toe the line against the top 156 runners in the country. The whole team raced valiantly with Alexander Darbishire and Callum Aiken finishing only one minute behind the overall winner. This was an outstanding achievement and one that the squad will look to replicate and improve upon next season. I must thank all the pupils, staff and parents for what was an excellent season of cross country. Such dedication and commitment to train, compete and travel across the country in all types of weather is what makes the Cross Country Club such a great community to be a part of. Individual results: 63 Alexander Darbishire 10:54 78 Callum Aiken 10.59 104 Thomas Mennie 11:13 128 Jonathan Pannett-Smith 11:25 142 Robin Hambidge 11:40 147 Geordie Anderson 11:53 Team Result: 26th Elliot Birkbeck