Freshers' Fun Run 2005
By Jacob Eisler
On October 9th-the first Sunday of the new year at Cambridge-on a crisp, clear, and brightly autumnal afternoon, a meet record 252 men and women toed the line for the Freshers Fun Run, the year's first major event of the Cambridge University Hare and Hounds calendar. The race represented both the inaugural event of this season's college league season and a tantalizing glimpse of the runners who will hammer the pavement and churn the turf across Britain in the coming season. With 30 college represented, both intercollegiate rivalry and the potential of this year's University teams-derived from the potent combination of the experience of returning Haries and an infusion of new talent-made a dramatic appearance.
After a brief informative and inspirational speech by Club Captain Simon Rutherford, the 106 participating women gathered at the start line, taking off at 2 PM at the command from Sweatshop Cam (valued Sponsor of Cambridge Hare and Hounds) manager Andy Noyce. 5 minutes later, at another shout from Mr. Noyce, 146 men flew forth in like fashion, testing their mettle against the roads of West Cambridge. The race covered a flat loop on tarmac running from the Wilberforce Road track, out along Madingley Road, and through the Cavendish lab before returning along the path to the track. Comprised of one lap for women (roughly 2.8 k) and two laps (a click beyond 5k) for men, it offered an opportunity for runners of every standard to complete a substantial race while simultaneously straining participants' aerobic capacity. The course featured some very slight changes in elevation as well as more than a few twists and turns demanding both attentiveness and a bit of agility. There were also a few obstacles-most notably bicycle obstructions memorably hurdled by Joe Stevick of Wolfson in his last race (for now) as a beloved member of CUHH.
Within minutes, the leading racers were returning home. On the women's side, the top spots were occupied by honoured guests-Helena Tobin of the Cambridge and Coleridge Athletic Club took the first spot in 9.23 (edging last year's winner, the graduated Claire Willer of Cambridge, by 6 seconds), with Louise Perrio taking the second spot in 9.34 and the third being taken by another Cambridge and Coleridge runner, Gemma Coe, in 10.08. The first CUHH lady across the line was Charlotte Forbes of Girton College in 10.25, good for fifth place; flying in behind her for CUHH were Tricia Peters of Darwin in 10.29, and Women's Captain Catherine Wood of Queens' one second later. If there was a silver lining of the failure of the CUHH ladies to occupy the top spot, it was the enormous potential contained in the earlier finishers-Charlotte, Tricia, and 11th place finisher Laura Spence of Wolfson are all freshers; comprising 3 of the top 6 student runners, together they represent enormous potential for the coming year.
The realized potential of many miles, and the experience of the Cambridge team, made a stronger appearance in the men's race, where Will George-one of last year's Blues runners-tore across the finish line in 15.53. A 23 second improvement over his own time last year, and a 6 second improvement over last year's winning performance (by returning but not present for this race racer Paolo 'Ferrari' Natali) Will's performance alone bodes extremely well for this year's Blues team. He was followed in 16.07 by the highly anticipated-and as good as advertised-fresher Pat Ward of Churchill, and Matt Armstrong of Trinity Hall in 16.09 (representing a 28 second improvement over his own time last year). Other notable improvements from the 2004 race were turned in by Andy Bell of Queens' (dropping 21 seconds to 16.42), Aidan Brown (dropping almost a minute and a half to 17.40) and Charlie Pitt-Ford of Robinson (from 18.54 to 18.07). Other freshers-following Pat Ward, Matt Grant of Queens' (5th, 16.37), and Jamie Stewart of Sidney Sussex (12th, 17.31)-also made a striking appearance and will certainly contribute to this year's battle against Oxford. All in all, given the various schedule-imposed absence of several almost-certain Blues and a host of other talented runners, this was a most hopeful harbinger of things to come. If they of the darker blue persuasion are watching, they had best also be fearing, for they will perceive nothing but the procession of a juggernaut which will take its ineluctable path to victory through the hills of Shotover and the forests of Wimbledon in a few weeks time.
In the more immediate College League competition, various lively rivalries were renewed. In the men's Division I competition, Queens', lead by Andy Bell and Alex McIntosh, continued its tradition of success from last year by finishing first, followed by a Will George/Rich Hewitt-led Jesus. St. Catherine's, with leading runner Tom Offord, drew strength from numbers to take the 3rd spot. In the men's Division II, already potent force of Owain Bristow (with CUHH shaved across the back of his head in a stylish statement of Cantab-tastic pride) joined forces with Pat to raise Churchill to a potent victory, followed by a Steve Benson-Jamie combination leading Sidney Sussex to an alliterative second standing. Separated by only 8 points, Clare College was 3rd, and Emmanuel 4th; with only 35 points separating first and fourth places, it promises to be a dramatic and tightly fought battle to determine who will rise into Division I over the next year. In the women's competition, the visiting Cambridge and Coleridge rode its strong front runners to a resounding victory, whereas Trinity College relied on the experienced duo of Dr. Joan Lasenby and Sarah Kummerfeld to take 2nd, and Charley Joyce and Lara Wood supplemented captain Catherine Catherine to carry Queen's College to 3rd. Full results-for both the college league standings and the individual performances-can be accessed here.
As the sun gradually sunk lower in the sky, the runners of all speeds and college affiliations gathered on the top floor of the Wilberforce complex to celebrate the victories, notably with the distribution of prizes to the best performers and new freshers. Thanks to the Sweatshop for their continued support, and to the College League organizers-Katherine Vinnicombe and Laura Dixon-and the day's marshals and officials for making the day possible.
The Freshers Fun Run was an amazing and extremely enjoyable start to the new year of CUHH, soon to be continued with the RAF Match on Saturday, October 22nd, taking place on the Magog Down of Cambridge. For those of you eager for more College League excitement, Sunday October 30th will feature the slightly muddier adventure of the Granchester Meadows.
If you've got feet, use'em, and come along.