Cross-country running is without a doubt one of the purest sports known to man. It involves pushing oneself to the limit and is not dependent on equipment, influenced by a referee or directed by tactics. It is purely down to physical fitness and mental strength. Such elements are only intensified in the historic atmosphere of the Varsity Match and were clearly on display at this year's event, on Saturday 28th November in Shotover Country Park, Oxford. Unfortunately the day was slightly tainted by Oxford’s poor organisation and ambiguous course-markings.
Such adversity did not faze the Gazelles of Cambridge as Grace Geilinger and Rachel Kitchen in first and second impressively led the Women's IIIrd Team home to victory. Similarly, inspired were the Light Blue Trojans who not only outnumbered but also out-muscled their Darker counterparts. An emphatic win by former-Blues runner Tim Pattison set the trend for a number of great performances despite the fact that the routes taken by the competitors varied quite significantly.
Unfortunately, the Women's IInds (Cheetahs) fell victim to an ill marked course as race leader Polly Keen of Cambridge strayed off route. Meanwhile Lowri Richards ran yet another brilliantly executed race to power through the field taking 2nd place overall after an impressively strong finish. The Cambridge Women’s Captain, Emma Figures, also had a very determined race to finish 4th. However, Oxford claimed the team victory.
The Men's IInds (Spartans) and IIIrds (Barbarians) races were luckily conducted on a fairer course and were simply outdone by some remarkably strong Oxford performances. Freshers Alex Young and Ben Davis showed that the future looks to be bright for the Light Blues finishing in 2nd and 3rd in the IInds. Following in their muddy footsteps, another fresher, Rowan Brackston, stepped up to the mark in the IIIrds finishing in 3rd.
All is not lost as the series now stands at 3-2 going into next week's Blues Match on Wimbledon Common with both the men’s and the women's teams looking incredibly strong. Also, Cambridge was able to demonstrate its ever-present strength in depth and team spirit in defending both its Mob Match titles with style.