Cross Country Report

Saturday 26 July 2025

The Trinity Relays, Ewen Park, Hurlstone Park

It was great to back in the Inner West for The Trinity Relays last Saturday. They always prove to be a fun and fast affair. This played into the Bestic family plans as they shot off post-race to celebrate our Captain James’ 18th Birthday. No doubt Mum smothered him with kisses for the duration of the day!

A massed start of all teams at once proves to be a bit nuts, but racing soon settles down mid-first lap. We promoted James Warren from the Intermediates to bolster our Opens team, and he settled into a good rhythm not too far adrift from the leaders. He then handed onto a determined Daniel Becker. The pace was hot up front with the Cranbrook Staff Team scorching their way around the course, setting a new record. Daniel soon sent James Bestic on his way, and then it was Tom Gray’s turn to charge off with the baton… and secured his teammates and Shore a solid 7th in the Opens race.

Just in their rearview mirror were the Shore Intermediate Team, who were having a red-hot crack at securing a place in their category. Hugo Stewart led the charge and had a fine first leg. He handed proceedings over to Ben Frantz, who continues to improve, and they were established ‘well amongst it’ in the Inters. Toby Ward shot out of the change zone like a cannon and set up a fine position for our anchor man, Jonty Jagger, who had a blistering run to secure 3rd in the team’s event.

Our Juniors Team also looked awesome on paper and didn’t fail to impress in their racing. George Harvey led the team from the start and handed over to teammates Henry Grieve, Zac Roberston and Alex Baxter. These four combined excellently to be 6th in the Juniors.

So, all in all, it was a fun and action-packed day of Cross Country Relay racing at Ewen Park.

We head back to Rydalmere and UpJohn Park tomorrow for our last Cross Country of the Season with our CAS brothers. It includes the fun GPS v CAS races, which is an opportunity for each association to ‘flex’, in the three age groups, and we are chuffed to have Toby Ward and James Warren representing GPS in the Intermediate GPS Team with Jonty Jagger as a reserve. Nice!

Good running,

Mr Michael Spratt
MIC Cross Country