ESAA Cross Country Cup Was A Truly Outstanding Day Of Sport

The College was honoured to host this prestigious national event and to welcome over 1,000 competitors from some 120 schools from all across the country. It was the fourth time the Schools’ Cross Country Cup Nationals have come to Princethorpe in the event's long history, and we were especially pleased to be able to host the event this year, the ESAA 100^th anniversary year, and the very last time our much-loved former Director of Sport, Gwil Price, was a part of the organising team.

Teams had battled hard to qualify to compete on the national stage, through local and regional rounds, and just after midday the races kicked off with the top Junior Girls teams heading off around the course. Next up were the Junior Boys and Princethorpe’s first competitors taking on a course of 2650 metres. They were raring to go, ready to embrace the experience. Oliver Morgan was first over the line for the home team with Leo Clarke, Jasper Smith, Rupert Harrison, Wesley Hague and Oscar Bridge all close on his heels. An excellent effort from them all.

The Inter Girls and Inter Boys races went well, although the course conditions were increasingly muddy, but the weather turned as the Senior Girls, and Princethorpe’s second team, headed into the start pens. Freezing squally rain drenched the competitors as they prepared to set off on their 3,400 metres race. Our Senior Girls never fail to do us proud; great sportswomen and brilliant competitors who gave everything to gain the very best result possible for their team, an incredible 13^th overall nationally. First across the line for Princethorpe was Evie Marston 21^st, Lily Hunter was 39^th, Delilah Teeton 73^rd, Amelia du Toit 102^nd and Bella Pinder 118^th.

Thank you to everyone who competed – we were impressed with your determination and enthusiasm and we hope you all enjoyed your visit to Princethorpe.

Huge thanks to all our staff and student helpers and to all the ESAA volunteers without whom the event could not have taken place, but particular thanks must go to our incredible Foundation Facilities team led by our Foundation Director of Facilities, Rob Heath. 

Congratulations to the winning runners and teams. We were delighted to celebrate your amazing achievements at the after-event awards ceremony. We especially hope you like your 100% recycled medals a really rather fitting reward at the end of our first ever Foundation COP Week.

Don't forget you can find highlights of the races on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@vinco_sport