Wintry conditions and team triumphs mark Knole Run 50th anniversary

The Hunt squad arrived at the magnificent setting of Knole Park with bright blue skies overhead and fresh snow underfoot.

Locals were sledging, even ice-skating, but we had a more strenuous task ahead – the Knole Run. To mark its 50^th anniversary, the organisers at Sevenoaks School had announced the addition of an Intermediate age group race for boys and girls, alongside the Senior races, allowing the RSSH to field thirty runners in total. Having passed a comfortable night in nearby Tonbridge, we arrived well-rested, in high spirits and good number, to tackle what has long been a blue riband event in the national schools’ cross-country calendar.

Following a walk of the course, the mixed terrain of ice, snow, mud, stone and standing water led to some heated discussion over spike length; traction and purchase were at a premium, particularly on the downhill sections where compressed snow made for treacherous conditions. Sympathy and encouragement were extended to those runners facing the prospect of racing in flat-soled trainers!

The girls were first up, Seniors and Intermediates running a combined race over the 5km loop. Elizabeth S’s (QEH, LVI) eventual 9^th place finish was an impressive achievement, especially given her disrupted training after injury. Next home for the Seniors was Huntswoman Sophia C (MSH, UVI) in 19^th, with Amelia B (MSH, LVI) finishing a few seconds later in 21^st. Committed running from Georgia G (MSH, V), April H (MSH, V), Lily C (EDH, LVI) and Kitty F (MSH, LVI) further helped the Seniors secure 3^rd place as a team – an excellent reflection of the girls’ competitive team spirit. In the Intermediate race, Matilda L (MSH, III) was first home in 17^th before Annabel R (EDH, III) kept some fast finishers at bay to finish 32^nd.

Shortly afterwards, the Intermediate boys set off, James L (I, III) immediately powering to the front. His eventual 2^nd place was an exceptional result and a real highlight, even if sickness prevented him from taking a victory which would surely otherwise have been his. A little way back, Arjun C (O, IV) competed well for his 32^nd place, with Hugo B (I, III) 10 places further back. Oli T (O, III), Leo T (O, III), Charlie R (Rt, III) Ethan C (O, IV) and Will S (O, IV) completed the Hunt placings.

The final race of the day saw just over 100 competitors racing double the distance of the previous races, with two laps of the course undertaken. As ever, the sharp end of the field saw some of the country’s finest cross-country runners set off at an alarming pace. Alex M (I, LVI) proved himself to be the in-form Hunt runner, finishing a highly creditable 10^th. Fin C (O, UVI) (22^nd) and Jack K (SH, UVI) (28^th) completed the club’s top 3 finishers, with Dom W (SH, UVI), Jared G (R, V), Rowan R (Rt, UVI), Tom E (Ch, UVI), Tom B (I, UVI), Dason C (Rt, LVI) and Eugene U (I, LVI) in pursuit.

A combination of gloriously wintry conditions and the girls’ well-deserved silverware helped to make the day particularly special, with some well-deserved rest enjoyed on the long drive home!

Frank Tickner

Teacher i/c RSSH