Athletes Represent Suffolk at the UK Inter Cross Country 2019

On Saturday 9 March six Woodbridge School athletes had earned the right to represent Suffolk at the UK Inter County Cross Country in Loughborough.

A prestigious annual event where the top eight athletes from each English County compete against area teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. So just 350 of the very best cross country runners in the United Kingdom in each race.

Alex competed well in the U17 mens’ race despite a slight knee injury to finish in 210th place and 4th for Suffolk.

For Eloise in Year 7, this was a first county club representation and a great first experience competing a year up in the U13 girls’ race to finish a credible 235th and 5th for Suffolk.

Amy in Year 9 posted her best result so far in a national level competition, finishing 160th and 2nd for Suffolk, competing a year up in the U15 girls’ race.

April, not quite over her recent virus, fought well in the same race, always in the top 100 to finish 1st for Suffolk and in 95th place

Kit’s season continues to go from strength to strength. Competing in the U15 boys’ race with a ferocious start, Kit found himself in about 60th place after the first kilometre of his five kilometre race. From that moment on there was no stopping him as he fought his way through the field to finish an incredible 22nd and 2nd for Suffolk. The Suffolk Team finished an amazing 6th overall in this age group. To give Kit’s performance some context,  it is always good to point out that in team sports there is normally a National squad of around 30 announced before the final team is agreed. Getting into the top 100 in England alone takes some doing, so to finish 22nd in the UK is a major achievement.

Last, but not least, Ruby. Ruby started this race having won the South of England Inter Counties in December and the South of England individual title in January. Last year when she competed in this fixture, she competed a year up and finished an eye-opening 8th. To keep the pressure off, friends and family were not saying anything, but deep down everyone wondered whether a medal was possible.

From the start Ruby was always in the lead pack and by mid race, the young star started to take the race by the scruff of the neck. In the final kilometre Ruby was able to power away from the lead pack to cross the line as UK Under 13 Inter County Champion. 

Not only did Ruby win her race, but across the 10 races on the day from U13 to Senior, Ruby was in the shortest race at 3000 metres, and her winning margin of 19 seconds was the largest of the day.

An outstanding achievement and a credit to her hard work, determination and family support. Of course, at the same time, a small piece of history for Woodbridge School.

Congratulations to all of our athletes and good luck to those competing at English Schools in Leeds this coming weekend – the final fixture of the winter!