Cross-Country

In 2023, cross-country returned with a bang – not in the muddy fields of Rutland, but instead on the volcanoes of Lanzarote. Our pre-season training camp took place on this sun-baked Spanish backwater, with our coaches relishing it as a chance to push us to our limits from the outset. Ferocious eight-mile runs and hill sprints were mixed with devious track sessions among the elite of the Danish sporting world, with individuals like Benjamin Maldonado (Hf) and Frederick Bidwell (M) demonstrating their dangerous potential for the season ahead, and Mr Davies furiously documenting events in the Twittersphere.

The term kicked off with the Uppingham Race, allowing the team a chance to set the work rate for the season ahead. Excellent performances were par for the course, with the girls’ team sweeping a top 1-2-3-4 led by Leonora Parr (Fd) – an especially magnificent effort for a junior. We then welcomed the new season with the crosscountry dinner, which gave us a chance to catch up with proud Old Uppinghamian cross country runners who had also boldly participated in that day’s race.

On 1 February, we took part in the King Henry VIII School Relays in Coventry, taking almost four teams to contest a series of 2.3 mile laps. Our teams put in a stellar shift, with our girls’ and boys’ teams coming 11th and 22nd respectively. The newcomers to cross country performed with commitment and rigour, notably demonstrated by Kitty Tweed (Fd) taking after the example set by her brothers Bertie (F 20) and Archie (F 22), who are both former boys’ team captains. The youngsters are set to strengthen the trajectory that cross country is on, bringing to the fore record numbers of runners for numerous competitions and starting their development as Uppingham runners early – Ryan Hajji (SH), William Howard-Vyse (F), Otto Rubython (B), to name a few.

The Junior Girls, including Fourth Formers Ottilie Willis (Sa), Kitty Tweed (Fd) and Eva May (J) and led by Dominique Dunn (J), also forged their way to the National Cross Country Cup finals in their first term, alongside the Senior Girls, Karina Wies (L) and Hana Perjuci (NH), going up against the country’s top schools. They also competed at the Harrow Invitational, where yet again we had a very impressive number of runners from Uppingham and some great performances, including a hard-earned bronze for Tabitha Todd (Sa).

One of the season’s most competitive races is the National Qualifiers, where a record-breaking seven Uppinghamians were successful in earning team places to represent the County. They will go on to compete in Nottingham, on behalf of Leicestershire and Rutland, against representatives from counties across the nation. The qualifier included an impressive performance from the girls’ team, with Leonora Parr (Fd) taking 5th and Tabitha Todd (Sa) 4th. They also won gold as a team alongside Marina Wies (L) and Charlotte Munro (Sa). From the boys’ team, Charlie Howard-Vyse (F), Benjamin Maldonado (Hf) and Oliver Clements (Hf) will take part in the final.

It was a wetter and windier Routh than we have experienced in recent years, but the muddy course didn’t dampen spirits on the day. Congratulations to Oliver Clements (Hf), who won The Routh and the boys’ competition, and Tabitha Todd (Sa), who won the girls’ competition. Highfield achieved a record-equalling seventh consecutive win against the other boys’ houses, with Constables coming out on top in for the girls’ houses.

These impressive performances are merely an added extra alongside the incredible camaraderie of the squad - which has been a good tool for bringing new members into the team over the years. We hope that effervescent Mr Clark assists the ever-capable Mr Davies in maintaining this fantastic environment next season as we say goodbye to Mr Matthews, who is setting off to conquer the cantons of Switzerland.

Thomas Knapman (M) and Billy Brooks (WD) Football Co-captains

Mr Surtees Head of Boys’ Football