The Chronicle, No. 669, January 2016

29 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Harriers By Ewan Gault, Master i/c Harriers

The Harriers started last term with a small group of pupils and teachers competing at the Longworth 10k. This multi-terrain race, which took runners along the banks of the Thames, was a scenic but challenging introduction to competitive running for a number of pupils, not least because of a steep hill in the final kilometre. Harriers’ captain, Izzy Rayner ( St George’s, Windsor ), showed good early-season form and finished first junior female. As the term progressed we incorporated hill reps on South Parks, trail running around the undulating forests of Shotover, speed sessions in University Parks and long runs that allowed pupils to explore the towpaths, bridle ways and meadows of Oxford. Our next competitive fixture was the Oxford City Schools cross country event at Horspath. The Harriers had a successful day out with Alfie Armitage-Hookes ( Dulwich College ) finishing second in the senior boys race and Jeevan Grewal ( Caldicott ) battling to the line in third place after an exciting sprint finish.

Aaron Gruen ( Munich International ), James Rhys-Evans ( Summer Fields ) and Tom Lloyd ( Dragon ) had excellent races and contributed valuable points to help St Edward’s win the team prize. The senior girls also won the team prize with Izzy Rayner finishing first and Jess Lee ( Swanbourne House ) second. Elizaveta Skarga ( School 1239, Moscow ) and Lizzie Dorey ( Cherwell ) were the other counting runners in what has the potential to be a formidable quartet this term. At the Harrow fixture, the Harriers faced far stiffer competition with some of the strongest cross country schools in the country in attendance. On a chilly November afternoon over 20 pupils ran in the senior boys’ race. For some, this was to be their first, and possibly last, competitive race in St Edward’s colours and it was appropriate that they had the opportunity to test themselves over a traditionally muddy and hilly course. The standout performances were from Izzy Rayner and Aaron Gruen, both of whom finished 13th in their respective races.

The season concluded with the Eynsham 10k. Back in September we had put entries into this flat and fast course anticipating personal bests, but by the last weekend of term and with 45 mph winds blowing, it seemed that good times would be out of the question. However, those who attended faced the challenging conditions in good spirits and enjoyed racing against a large field of mainly adult runners. Jeevan and Arun Grewal ( Caldicott ) matched each other around the course, finishing in times of 38:34 and 38:47, while Joe Zietman ( Gayhurst ) narrowly missed running his first sub-40 minute 10k. As ever, there were a large number of Harriers whose progress was not necessarily charted by improved times, or by places in races, but by their own personal fitness goals. All Harriers were supported by an enthusiastic group of teachers who cajoled, coaxed and coerced the runners in their groups into ever greater efforts.

Izzy Rayner at the Longworth 10k where she was the first junior girl