Fraser crowned English Schools Cross Country Champion

Photo by Mark Shearman

Prior to the shutdown of all sporting events, Year 11 pupil Fraser (S) made Sedberghian history by becoming the School’s first ever winner of the prestigious English Schools Cross Country Championships.

More than 2000 athletes, across 6 races, took on the muddy and undulating course at Sefton Park, Liverpool all looking to become champion.

Fraser has been in impressive form this year in the lead up to this event. At the end of January, he secured third place at the Northern Cross Country Championships in Bedale, North Yorkshire. A month later, Fraser then went on to finish tenth in the National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham. Over the 6km course, described as the “muddiest ever”, Fraser only finished a minute behind the winner – giving him a great confidence boost going into the English Schools Championships.

Battling it out over the 5.5km course, and against a field of 331 athletes, it was in the long home straight at Sefton Park that Fraser made his sprint for home, pulling away from Louis Small of Kent to take victory by just 6 seconds – watch Fraser’s winning moment here.

In his post-race interview, Fraser shared his delight of winning the title.
“I’m so happy and so pleased to have won today. To win this key race is my best win over the years. This is obviously a very prestigious event; it’s always been on my bucket list to try and win this event.”

Fraser paid tribute to Sedbergh School saying, “I’m based in Sedbergh and the School are very supportive of my running.”

In winning the event, Fraser becomes the first ever Sedbergh pupil to win the title and the first Cumbrian male athlete to win since 1982.

As well as Fraser’s gold medal, Cumbria also came home with a silver and another gold medal, which is their best result at the event for several years.

Watch Fraser’s full post-race interview here.