Freshers' Fun Run 2009
By Declan Murray
Too fast, too Fresh. Cambridge University Hare and Hounds Press Officers Polly Keen and Declan Murray report on the annual Freshers’ Fun Run For individual or college glory, to sweat off the excesses of Freshers’ Week or because they were charmed by their hot college cross country captain were just a few of the reasons why over 200 students, fellows and staff (fast, slow and everything in between) competed in the annual Freshers’ Fun Run, the first race of the Chris Brasher College League, on Saturday. Despite an impressive arrival by the massive Magdalene team, any hopes that a new academic year would spell a new age in terms of college domination were dashed as the former Hare and Hounds Captain, James Kelly, led home a Jesus one–two with his successor, Robin Brown, taking second place. A record turn–out in the Men’s race saw Alex Young as first Fresher (9th overall), somewhat refreshingly from a different red college — St John’s. Young’s time of 16:45:39 for the Men’s 5km course would have placed him four places higher last year and demonstrates just how high the standard was at this year’s event. A special mention should also go to Downing’s Chris Bannon who took 3rd place in 15:58:26; a near thirty second improvement on his last year’s time off just one month’s training following injury. A similar success story was that of Tom Heslop from Clare whose 16:22:92 for 6th place was a massive two minutes faster and eighteen places higher than in the same race last year. The 2nd and 3rd placed freshers, Sam Ashcroft (Jesus) and Tom Nutt (Downing) also impressed being well up in the mix of the club’s top men. Talking of impressive times, America’s Amanda Scott of Churchill covered the Ladies’ 2.7km course in a rapid 9:32:06 to emulate her compatriot James Kelly in 1st place, as well as taking the title of first Fresher. The absence of defending champion, Charlotte Roach, who is currently training as a full–time triathlete, allowed Magdalene’s Lauren Barklie to take 2nd spot in 9:49:45, just three seconds ahead of former Varsity Match winner, Polly Keen, of Murray Edwards, who was fetchingly dressed as a bunny. Queens’ Sophie Bailly and Fitz’s Rachel Heard finished as 2nd and 3rd Freshers respectively to creditably place 5th and 6th overall in a strong Women’s race. In the Men’s team competition Jesus took victory by a significant margin and are one step on the way to defending their College League title yet again. Meanwhile, in the Ladies race, it was Trinity’s time to shine taking a very close win over Magdalene, Jesus and Girton. All in all it was a successful day of running in pleasantly warm and sunny conditions. However, it is as the cold nights draw in that a true test will be made of Cambridge’s runners as they work towards avenging last year’s Varsity results at the end of term. Although, if the talent displayed by the new intake is anything to go by then the club are more than capable of doing just that.