[C]ross Country runners from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith travelled to Kent last weekend to compete in the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final.
Having finished first in the Cumbria county final in September and the North West regional final in November, the QEGS team travelled to Sevenoaks school for the national final.
Comprised of boys from years 9 and 10, the team finished fourth, making them the fourth best in their age group in England.
Robin Regan was involved in a super race at the front and finished 2nd overall, he was backed up very well by the rest of the team which included: Sol Johl – 25th; Charlie Harding – 41st; Elliot Judge – 52nd; Ben O’Dowd – 90th; Sam Almond – 113th.
The team were accompanied to the finals by members of their coaching team; James Douglas, Head of Earth Sciences and himself a keen runner, and Rod Mason, who retired from QEGS’ teaching staff earlier this year but still volunteers with the school’s runners. The team is also coached by QEGS’ PSHE Coordinator, Mrs Kerry Davies, who was unable to make the trip.
James Douglas said, “All four of our teams made it to the north west regional finals and we are really proud of their hard work and dedication. It is a great tribute to the support they have had from the whole school that the inter boys have gone on to compete at such a high level and to be recognised nationally.”
QEGS’ cross country team has qualified for the finals on three previous occasions, coming second in 2015.
The team event this year was won by Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton.
