Shrewsbury

Schools' Championships and Mini Tucks races showcase the best in RSSH

February 9th 2024

Shropshire Schools’ Cross-Country Championships

On Saturday, 3^rd February, Oswestry School hosted the annual Shropshire Schools’ Cross-Country Championships. As ever, the Hunt turned out in force, dominating the start lines of most of the age group races.

Whilst the race is a Championship in its own right, it is also the selection race for the prestigious English Schools’ Cross-Country Championships, the de facto National Championships for school age runners. As such, those toeing the line had half an eye on qualification for this year’s edition of the English Schools’, to be held at Pontefract in March.

First race off saw the Intermediate and Senior Girls racing together, over a 4km distance. In the Senior race, Sophia C (MSH, LVI) showed typical resolve to finish up at the sharp end, securing selection for Pontefract alongside the ever-reliable and committed Huntswoman, Ellie L – L (MSH, UVI). In the same race, Amelia B (MSH, V), Polly H (G, V) and Maggie W (G, IV) were all high up enough in the final standings to book a spot on the team bus for the Intermediate Girls’ team. Later in the day, Sakura F (MSH, III) represented the Hunt in the Junior Girls’ race over 3km, setting an impressive pace, but narrowly missing out on selection.

Over on the boys’ side, Arjun C (O, III) and Oscar C (Ch, III) were flying the flag for the Juniors, finishing in the top half of the field, but a little outside of selection. In the Intermediate Boys’ race, Zac W (SH, V), Alex M (I, V) and Will R (O, V) all continued their fine form to earn selection, and it was great to later see Finlay C (O, LVI) comfortably secure victory in the Senior Boys’ race, over 6km. Alongside Finlay, Dom W (SH, LVI), Archie T (Rt, UVI) and Massimo W (R, UVI) also ran well enough to impress the selectors. Harry P-M (I, LVI), busy on the day recording a sub-2 minute 800m personal best in an indoor track meet, was also offered selection.

The Hunt left Oswestry in buoyant mood, with the Intermediate and Senior Boys and the Intermediate Girls securing team wins, and the Senior Girls placing second. These team trophies, along with the various individual selections, made for a successful morning’s work.

The Mini Tucks

With the Tucks cancelled due to inclement weather, a Mini Tucks event, held in the Shrewsbury Quarry Park, proved an excellent opportunity to pit house against house in a bid to secure the silverware not awarded back in October, 2023.

With the kind permission of Shrewsbury Town Council, a 5km loop was laid out in the park, broadly similar to the weekly Park Run event held each Saturday morning. Houses were invited to submit 8-strong teams, with 5 to score for the Team competition, and the lowest cumulative time of all 8 runners dictating the Whole House award.

Whilst the House awards are being kept under wraps until the next Whole School Assembly, there were some excellent individual runs to celebrate.

At the head of the race, there was a compelling battle between Finlay C and Harry P-M, with Finlay taking up an aggressive pace, looking to outrun his persistent competitor. Ultimately, it was Harry who came out on top, though, securing a fine victory. A little while later, 5^th former Zac W completed the podium. In and amongst the older runners, Oliver R (Rt, IV) was first junior boy competitor, 18^th overall. He was followed in quick succession by Max S (S, IV) (21^st) and William M (SH, IV) (23^rd).

Sophia C cemented her status as top girl runner in the school, finishing a fine 26^th overall, whilst the tenacious Amaya N (M, UVI) was only five places back. Third girl home was Ellie L-L, finishing 39^th in the 103-strong combined boys’ and girls’ race. The first junior girl home was 3^rd former Sakura F – her 49^th place a fine achievement. Bethan R (EDH, IV) and Sara Z (M, III) completed the junior top three.

Conveniently sandwiched between rainy spells of weather, the sunny conditions helped make for a suitably competitive replacement for the Tucks proper, which we look forward to taking its rightful place in the school calendar in late Autumn this year. All runners are to be congratulated for their house spirit and good cheer.