ISA Cross Country Regional Champoinships

Copthill Cross Country U11 Team - ISA Regional Championships, Brentwood - 29 January 2016

The original school course was waterlogged, so at last minute ISA re-scheduled the competition to Woodlands School, Brentwood. This caused us a logistical headache, resulting in a smaller team than normal being driven to the event in two cars by Mrs Isaac/Mrs Rule and myself. On a very blustery day we left Copthill at 7.15 am for the 3 hour drive to Brentwood. Despite the long journey the runners arrived in good spirits, bursting with energy and nerves. 

This year the Championships had 19 teams with between 75 and 95 runners in each race. The task was simple; do as well as you can over a 2 km muddy course, top 10 finishers plus 2 reserves are invited to the National Finals, and the first 4 runners in count towards your Team result. 

The girls set off first on a winding course around playing fields and woods. Ana Isaac sprinting in, dipping on the line, only to miss out on 10th place by a short nose! Amy Rule very close on her heels in 16th, Alice Brownlow just behind in 19th, and Poppy Newman fighting hard in the middle of the pack to a very creditable 45th. All the girls finished in the top half of the race, which was reflected their excellent Team result: 4th from 19 teams. Well done!

The boys were keen to know how the girls had got on as they waited on the muddy start line. A frantic sprint start, into a strong wind, saw us in the middle of the field early on, but the boys worked well together to gradually push themselves towards the front. Gabriel Rudman lead them in 13th place, knowing Freddie Gwinnett was right behind him in 14th, Charlie Plant just a few places back in 18th, and Owen James fast finishing in 24th. Again a fantastic display of running, and a great Team result: 3rd from 19 teams. Well done!

As we write the blog we wait to hear if Ana will be representing East Anglia in the Finals at the end of February. We know that she will do brilliantly if the opportunity comes her way. Fingers crossed!

Well done to all the runners - we had a fabulous day out, and you deserve to feel very proud of your achievements for Team Copthill. Many thanks also to Mrs Isaac and Mrs Rule for giving up their time to support the runners, and assist me.

Mr Nick Teesdale