Cross Country Report
Grammar Invitation and GPS Championships, Miranda Park | Saturday 17 August
Well, we got the Threepeat on the weekend. Not the one we were hoping for in the Open’s GPS results this year, but rather the third new course three weeks in a row! Miranda Park, chosen by Grammar for the season ending GPS Championships, certainly put many athletes out of their comfort zone, not so much in terms of the difficult course, though tough, but rather in the fact that so many of the Blue Street Boys had no idea where Miranda is, or have previously travelled that far south in Sydney… It proved to be good for them in all regards, as they made a good account of themselves in the season finale! Not surprisingly, for this season, there was a muddy section mid-race that played havoc with some competition, a few boys throwing a shoe, etc. I’m considering investing in Napisan, as no doubt sales continue to rise!
The Juniors, as usual, were first on course, and we had great representation up front. Toby Ward was back and in the thick of the action as he secured a fabulous 4th place to lead our team home. Henry G continues to run well and was just outside the Top Ten at race end, as he was 12th. Archie Watson and Tom ‘Roxy’ Roxburgh were in a ‘ding dong’ battle for the next two team positions, with Archie securing 3rd to Tom’ 4th as they were 20th and 21st, respectively. Incredibly, we were 4th amongst the teams on the day, with 1pt separating 2nd – 4th! Shoutouts go to Leon Field, George H and Elliot Smith, who are all set to improve greatly in Cross Country as they continue to run tenaciously and enjoy themselves every week.
Our Intermediates were threatening all season to take down front-runners King’s, who have just managed to keep their noses ahead for the duration of the season. It was more of the same last Saturday as King’s secured the win with Shore only 6pts in arrears in 2nd. Tom Gray went a little crazy at the start and chose to lead again. I have a feeling he’s keen on being noticed by the gathered paparazzi, paid the price a little, and then managed to regroup and hang in up the front of the race as he secured a fine 9th place. James Warren steadily progressed through the field and took down many fancied athletes, both intrinsically and among the gathered cognoscenti, as he nailed a fabulous 10th spot – he was closing fast on Tom up ahead at race end. Will B ran well, regaining some of his form from last Term as he secured 12th, one place ahead of Jonty Jagger in 13th, and then Ben Frantz in 14th, rat a tat tat! The competition amongst ourselves in this age group puts us in good stead for future Cross Country success! James Thompson and Digby Wood deserve commendation for their season-long tenacity.
Despite being aware that the silverware was out of their grasp in the Opens, the team was still determined to make a good account of themselves in the last Cross Country of the Season and, for some, their last in the Blue and White. Ryan Gilmour maintained a high position in the field all race and had a stellar last lap, and it looked as though he was going to nab a spot on the podium in the sprint to the line. Unfortunately, his fellow competitors were just as hungry, possibly also noticing Ryan closing at the rate of knots, and just managed to hold him off as he finished 5th. Certainly nothing shabby about that! James Bestic returned to close to his top form and nabbed a fine 8th. Isaac Lanham managed to misplace his singlet for the second time this season… and subsequently, looking like an extra from Baywatch in his tight mid-riff affair, he managed to breathe frequently enough to finish strongly in 10th. Lachy Brown, who we have all felt for frequently this year as he has had the toughest of times, was gritty to be 14th and secured our Open team a most commendable 2nd place amongst the teams in the Opens.
So, in the wash-up, despite not winning any of the Age Division overall titles this year, we finished strongly in all, as we were 2nd in the Opens, 2nd in the Intermediates and 3rd in the Juniors (narrowly by 6pts out of 2nd). I do believe we can hold our heads high in the season-long GPS Competition, as the Blue Street Boys ran tenaciously for the duration of the season and were always in the hunt. However, there was a noticeable drop in fitness after the holiday break mid-season, and we must endeavour to remedy that next year.
Shore Cross Country Machine of the Week: the brains trust declared Toby Ward deserving of the title last week following his fine run in the Juniors.
Shore Cross Country Machine Award, 2024: (Season Long Perpetual Trophy) There was much discussion amongst the coaching staff as to who should be awarded this coveted Shore Cross Country Trophy. Of note, every Coach mentioned this year’s recipient as worthy of consideration and was ultimately unanimous in anointing James Warren as the Shore Cross Country ‘Machine’ of the Season, 2024. He displayed the most excellent season-long traits of always being at training, training with enthusiasm and a desire to improve, keeping everyone accountable on race day and relishing the competition, and possibly, most notably, he just seems to love his running! What more could one ask for in a Schoolboy athlete?
Huge season-ending thanks to our leaders, Captain Lachy Brown and Vice-Captain Ryan Gilmour, who have led by example and always with the best interests of the younger lads at heart. Sadly, as we farewell Lachy and Ryan, we also farewell other Year 12 athletes, stalwart Lachlan Martin and the ‘new kid on the block’, Isaac Lanham. They will be missed. We do hope they will continue to enjoy going for a run and remember fondly Cross Country at Shore.
It would also be remiss not to acknowledge the great support we get each week from the Shore Cross Country parents who shuttle their fine young men to often far-flung places around Sydney at ‘Sparrow’s’ on Saturdays! Thanks to the Brown fam for their support of our Captain and the wider Cross Country community over many years, and certainly for the provisions provided and organisation of a short end-of-season gathering post-race.
Lastly but certainly not least to the fine coaching staff: Ms Hu, Ms Langas, Rev Benn, Mr Friend, Mr Gulliford and Mr Winters, as we cope with running around North Sydney and inner Sydney each week… It is, in fact, a privilege, yet it is still time-consuming and impactful on their families. It is most appreciated, especially by the boys!
We look forward to the 2025 GPS Cross Country Season.
Top image: Early Opens pace!
Good running,
Mr M Spratt
MIC Cross Country