School runners in a class of their own
Date published: 23 November 2012
Athletics:
CROMPTON House runners clinched qualification for the ESAA English Schools Cross-Country Cup national finals after shining in the North-West regionals.
The school’s junior and intermediate teams headed to Preston full of confidence after dazzling displays in the Greater Manchester heats last time out.
In the junior (Years Seven and Eight) section, Crompton House finished second, with three boys in the first nine finishers.
Marcus Dey (11), a Year Seven pupil and successful triathlete, won the race despite competing against older runners.
“For the first two laps I was in the leading group, but at the start of the third and final lap I decided to make a break,” said Marcus.
“That worked and when I glanced round I could see a big lad behind me, but I knew he wouldn’t come back at me.
“It was a fast and crowded start and I nearly fell over – there were a lot of elbows flying around, but that’s normal for cross-country starts.
“You had to rip your feet out of the mud. Training on the Crompton House course is good, as we rarely get a course as hilly and muddy as ours.”
Phillip Whitham (fifth), Michael Patterson (ninth), Daniel Hughes (28th), Brandon Fitton (48th), James Kelly (51st) and Oliver Makinson (travelling reserve) were Crompton House’s other junior participants.
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