Inter-House Cross-Country - March 2010

Date: Sunday 21 March 2010

The last Monday of the Lent Term is, by tradition, cold, windy, and often wet! Yesterday, however, broke with tradition, and provided a sunny evening to allow spectators to discard overcoats, and shield their eyes, as the droves of runners crossed the Jackman Field to the finishing line for the 2010 Inter-House Cross-Country championships.

This is a full school event, in which every House member can prove of value, either in arriving home at the head of the field, or in 'blocking out' other competitors by finishing as high up the field as possible. There was as good a turn out of runners as I can remember from other years, and each of the events - four - was closely fought, and demanded extra care in checking and rechecking positions and scores!

The Junior Girls' race was won by Georgia Hunt in a new record time of 16.26 minutes. Her efforts helped Warneford to win the team event with 27 points, putting them ahead of the teams in joint second place, Wagner and Watson, both on 31. Baker, sadly, could field only three runners on the day, and thus came fourth.

The Junior Boys' event was also won in a new record time of 12.31 minutes by Wagner's Alistair Noel. His efforts spearheaded Wagner's team victory with 59 points, from Warneford (65), Watson (79), and Baker (96). The top six runners in each House counted in this race.

Senior Girls produced yet another very close finish, as Katie McNie (16.34) took the individual title, but Warneford with 49 points were just outrun by Wagner with 41. In third place came Baker on 99, and bringing up the rear were Watson on 101.

Finally, the Senior Boys set off, and most came back having completed the most gruelling of the races. Peter Edlin arrived home first in 21.54 minutes, again leading the way to a Wagner victory (58). On this occasion Baker came second (63), Warneford third (100), narrowly ahead of Watson (101).

Mrs Wilkinson's report thanked all staff and helpers, at the finish and out on the course, and all the competitors for such hard-fought exciting races. She also congratulated the two new record holders - Georgia Hunt and Alistair Noel - and Mr Millard, who came third in the senior race, closely behind Edlin and Callum Stokes-Newens!