Cuppers Cross Country 2007
By James Kelly
The day of Cuppers dawned cool and grey, but the competition was anything but as the Hare & Hounds established collegiate superiority and vied for selection for the upcoming Blues and IInds-IVths Varsity Matches. Strengthened by an excellent term of training, the competitors collectively produced a sterling performance that ranks as one of the best in recent years. Confidence buoyed by such strong efforts, the Hare & Hounds turn their attention to preparations for the duel with Oxford and the trip to Shotover next week.
Two coach loads of runners made their way to Wandlebury Common to contest the most prestigious event in the College cross-country calendar. The women were the first to attack the course, circulating 2 laps for the 3.9-mile race distance. Strong starts from most of the leading contenders ensured a quick pace throughout. As the race progressed, fresher Anna Anderson (Girton) backed up excellent performances from earlier in the term to stretch clear and win in 23:50. Last year's champion Polly Keen (New Hall, 24:12) had to settle for second this time around, while Laura Spence (Wolfson, 24:31) continued her impressive improvement to finish third.
With places in the Varsity teams available, the competition continued to rage further down the field. Lauren Barklie (Magdalene, 24:48) claimed the final place in the Blues team with an excellent debut performance of the season. The women's II team appears to be in good hands after the finishes of Alexandra Bell (Selwyn, 25:54), Angharad Porteous (Jesus, 26:00), Stella Deakin (Girton, 26:09), Jane Mackey (Selwyn, 26:53) and Helen Duff (St. Catherine's, 27:08). The impressive depth of the fresher talent suggests that Cuppers will continue to be a strong competition for years to come.
Anderson led the Girton squad to a comfortable team victory, with Selwyn and Emmanuel rounding out the top three.
The 6.3-mile men's race featured the fastest time recorded for the current course as well as the strongest top 10 for a couple of years. A very aggressive start from Owain Bristow (Queens') rapidly separated the field and ensured that all the competitors were short of breath in the dying stages. James Kelly (Jesus) tracked the ferocious early leader and was only able to struggle clear on the final incline to win in a course-record 32:29 and keep the coveted Naked Man trophy at Jesus College for another year. Bristow's run of 33:36 was also one of the top five times ever recorded.
The two look set to be joined on the Blues team by a trio of Matts, with fresher Matt Clark (Homerton, 33:35) delivering a breakthrough performance to lead home Matt Grant (Queens', 33:44) and Matt Armstrong (Trinity Hall, 6th, 33:54). Girton fresher Aidan McGowan (33:51) split Grant and Armstrong and reinforced the prominent fresher presence in the leading group. The fresher parade continued with David Yu (Trinity, 34:00), Scott Knackstedt (Downing, 34:28) and Robin Brown (Jesus, 34:43) crossing the line in front of Jamie Brunning (Jesus, 35:04) to round out the top 10.
Jesus claimed the team title for the third consecutive year, with a resurgent Trinity Hall claiming second place. The dynamic duo of Bristow and Grant won third place for Queens'.
Once again the event was carried out with spectacular efficiency, and sincere thanks are offered to the College League organisers Aidan Brown and Chris Morris for their tireless work. Thanks are also due to the star timers, Captains Andy Duncan and Harriet Owles, results wizard Mark Coley, and the host of marshals/supporters along the course, including, but not limited to, Juliet Cowen, Joan Lasenby and Tim Johnston. Next up, the Varsity Matches!