Riley Completes Cross Country Hat-Trick

30 October 2015

Amidst pelting rain and wind, the annual House Cross Country event took place just before half term. The mass House event offers pupils across all year groups the chance to gain glory for their houses. Some hardened members of staff chose to join the runners, braving the far-from ideal conditions to take on the three mile course.

Starting on Front Field, the juniors and girls were first to start, before Mr Tom Crisford’s whistle blew for the seniors and staff to begin five minutes later. Marshalls were stationed at various points around the route, pointing runners in the right direction and offering words of encouragement, as they ran on through the rain and out of the school. The course took participants through the village of Lower Shiplake and past the train station, eventually coming out by the river at the bottom of the College site. This meant that, towards the very end of the course, the runners had a steep hill to climb!

Finishing in first place for the juniors, and achieving the fastest overall time by nine seconds, was Year 10 Orchard House pupil Tom Nike. Tom steamed across the line to tumultuous applause from the waiting teachers and pupils, achieving a time of 19 minutes and 48 seconds. Following in a close battle for second place was JJ Acton (Orchard Bevan), in 21 minutes 21 seconds, with Alex Shean (Everett) coming in one second behind in third place.

Year 13 Welsh House pupil Lucy Walker crossed the line first for the girls, in 27 minutes 49 seconds, with Maisie Webb (Lapping) in 28 minutes 43 seconds, and Katie Pope (Bevan) hot on her heels, with a time of 29 minutes and 11 seconds. Archie Arnold (Olympians) lead the Lower School race, with a time of 22 minutes and 53 seconds, with Oliver Rouse-Roberts (Olympians) and Max Way (Titans) in second and third respectively.

Orchard House Year 13 student Ollie Riley was the first senior pupil over the line first with a time of 19 minutes 57 seconds, continuing his winning streak for the Cross Country – that’s three years in a row now! Jack Leigh took second and with a time of 20 minutes 13 seconds, and Charles Rollet Manus came third. After the race, Ollie stated he had ‘left everything out on the course’ and had to work ‘very hard’ for his victory. In a hotly-contested staff race, Director of Sport Mr Gaunt defended his title successfully, ahead of Mr Mackworth-Praed and Mr Miller.