T
he sport of cross-country
attracts those considered to
be slightly eccentric
individuals, who regularly
receive the incredulous: "You
run through mud, up hills in
pouring rain or snow - with others?" This is
normally accompanied by a sad shake of the
head. The aficionados however are in their
element, and when people come together who
actually enjoy the banter and respect each
other, then improvement and competitive
success follow.
The King's team of 2009 was such a group,
ably led by the cheerful and encouraging
Matthew Peek, who, despite the presence of
such talents as Charlie Maclean, Tom Lawson
and Mhairi Hall, was looked to for decisions and
encouragement. All these went on to represent
Somerset Schools in the English National
Championships at the end of the season.
A girls' team started the term well, qualifying
for the second round of the English Schools
Cup, with very good runs from Katy Preece,
Charlotte Dathan and Flo Main, supported
subsequently by Maddie Hudson, at a very wet
Colston's School. At the Taunton Area Schools,
held on a cold, crisp day, Tom Lawson won the
senior event, harried by Matt Peek, whilst
Olivia Taylor came second in her event and
Michael Peek fourth, all joined by Mhairi Hall,
George Chapman, Alice Round and Charlie
Maclean for the Somerset trials.
The Monmouth Trophy at Clatworthy swiftly
followed in lovely weather with lots of parental
support, Charlie Maclean running away with
the event, but King's coming second to Taunton
AC by a single point. The event has such
charisma, being feared yet looked forward to by
runners who mostly take it easy for the first
half of the race before pushing on towards the
end. Most runners improved on their best
times with Olivia Taylor the first girl home.
The King's Cup, now firmly ensconced at
Neroche, witnessed a fine match with
Wellington and Richard Huish, Charlie Maclean
pulling the team through to win, backed up by
Matt Peek, Michael Peek, Harry Billing, Lloyd
Griffiths, George Chapman and Olivia Taylor.
Just how many ran up 'that hill'?
At the South West Schools
event, staged handily at
Taunton Racecourse,
Maclean, Peek and
Lawson confirmed their
selection for the English
Schools by helping the
Somerset seniors to a win.
Mhairi Hall did likewise for
the girls and Michael Peek
helped the juniors to a
win. Charlie went on to
be the best placed
Somerset senior boy at the
English Schools
Championships.
The happy band then went
running on the Quantock
Hills in the snow, with
Francesco Roggia gasping
about cold air and trying to hide in a snow drift
- unsuccessfully. The snowball event was hotly
contested, and it was a close-run thing
between Matt Peek's seniors and Harry Billing
and the juniors. We returned a few days later
for the Quantock Relays, and a very determined
senior team took the win, aided by conscript /
volunteer Tom Dunham who stepped in to fill
the vacant leg as part of his Marines training.
Fastest leg went to Tom Lawson and the
quickest girl was Mhairi Hall.
In the Inter House Steeplechases, Carpenter
and Woodard claimed the overall awards,
though the boys' event saw Woodard, Tuckwell
and Bishop Fox separated by only a minute or
so. Bishop Fox and Meynell took the 'A' team
trophies, whilst Mhairi Hall and Charlie
Maclean were the quickest individuals - the
latter in an event record, though Mr Hamilton
showed a fair turn of speed to claim the third
quickest time of the day overall.
Grateful thanks to Mr Lee, Mr Round,
Miss Fagan and Mrs Wrobel for their invaluable
help during the season.
Aluredian
83
Tom Lawson and Charlie
Maclean training for the
English Schools National
Championships
Cross-country
by Richard Llewellyn-Eaton