SEDBERGH SCHOOL BOYS TAKE WINNING PLACES IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR CUMBRIA COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cross country runners ages 11 to 18, from six districts of Cumbria, met at Sedbergh School on 13th January for the Cumbria Cross Country Championships. Sedbergh School’s Joe Bird (E), Year 12, from Penrith, and Sedbergh Prep’s Fraser Sproul, year 7, from Sedbergh, won their age groups and Phoebe Whatoff (R), Year 13, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, came second in her group.

Jon Richardson, Master i/c Running, said: “The course was exceptionally wet and muddy – challenging for even the bravest runners! But set against a stunning background with frosty tops on the Howgills, spirits were high despite this, and there was plenty of knee-deep mud action and face-planting – not a day for a white vest!

Fraser has now progressed to run for the Cumbria Inter-County Competition in Cleveland, against all Northern counties. Fraser already holds the National Fellrunning title for his age group. He won this race by approximately 40 seconds, though results are provisional at this stage.”

“Joe Bird, who is a year young in his running age group, beat two international UK runners from Penrith and Kendal (Mattier and Richards) – an excellent achievement. He won in the last 800m, and came through really strong.”

Sedbergh Running team will be competing at Ampleforth tomorrow (Saturday 16th January)  and on Monday 30th January, 500 people will be in Sedbergh for the annual Morgan Run.

Kenny Stuart, from Threkeld, the David Beckham of Fell Running, will be starting the race and both Tom Addison (2014 British Fell Running Champion) and Victoria Williams, current Ladies’ British Fell Running Champion, will be joining us. The season completes with the National Relays at King Henry’s on February 3rd.

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