Cross-country runners strike gold at championships

February 19, 2019

The cross-country runners at Monmouth School for Boys clinched six medals at the national championships in Brecon.

Year 13 students Robbie, George, who ran most of the race with one shoe, and Anthony helped South East Wales to an outstanding team gold.

The trio’s success at the Welsh Schools Athletic Association Districts Cross-Country Championships last week was a fitting way to bring down the curtain on their cross-country racing for Monmouth.

Harry bagged an individual bronze medal and was supported by Gwyndaf in helping South East Wales to a team silver.

Thirteen Monmouth boys travelled to Mid Wales to represent South East Wales Schools.

Year 8 pupils Oliver and Henry got the afternoon off to a positive start, finishing 10th and 19th respectively (first and fourth scorers for South East Wales) in the Junior Boys’ (Years 8 and 9) race.

Oliver moved through the field in the second half of the 4,500m race and fell agonisingly close to gaining automatic selection for the Welsh Schools’ team for the annual Schools International Athletic Board’s (SIAB) international in Dublin.

Oliver and Henry were third and sixth respectively out of the Year 8 boys competing. Rhys Phillips was 33rd and fifth scorer for the team, while was Will Morris was 71st.

In the Year 7 Boys’ race, Harry battled to claim an individual bronze in his first cross country race since becoming double Welsh indoor champion last month.  Gwyndaf also ran the 2,920m distance well to claim 26th (and fourth South East Wales scorer) as the Monmouth duo helped South East Wales to a team silver.

The highlight for Monmouth was the 5,810m Senior Boys’ race in which Robbie and George were 24th and 25th (fourth and fifth South East Wales scorers).

Anthony also ran a well-judged race to finish 33rd but, more crucially, was the sixth-and-final scorer to help the county to their only team gold of the day.  Iwan, who made his county debut, was 46th, while Rowan  was inside the top 20 when he had to withdraw thorough injury.

Josh finished 48th in the 5,020m Middle Boys’ race (Years 10 and 11) and was the fifth South East Wales scorer and county debutant Aidan finished a creditable 69th.

Master-in-charge of Cross-Country at Monmouth School for Boys, Dr Huw Evans, said: “Robbie and George, our cross country secretary and captain respectively, have been club stalwarts.

“Both have been phenomenal runners during their seven years at the school, especially given all of their other sporting commitments. George’s run was remarkable because he lost a shoe on one of the first corners of the race after somebody stepped on his heel.”