The Beachborough Prep X-Country event was held once again this year and was as well-attended (and cold!) as ever!
This year, nine visiting schools joined us on a wet, muddy, December day and alongside 21 of our own Beachborough Prep X-Country runners, took on both the gruelling weather conditions and the unpredictable course which circled the perimeter of the school’s 35-acre site, based in Westbury, near Brackley and included obstacles such as stone steps, wet and soggy terrain and a style into neighbouring farmland.
The Beachborough Prep X-Country event has been a well-attended event since 1985 with only a few years absence from the school’s busy sporting calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eleven children from Forms IV and V and ten children from Forms VII and VIII made up the Beachborough Prep Under 11 and Under 13 teams. Their sportsmanship was evident as they cheered each other and children from visiting schools on, in typical Beachborough sporting fashion!
The Junior Races started the event off at 1.30pm and the Senior Races, slightly afterwards at 1.50pm. Six runners made up a team with the first four runners to complete the 3.2km and 4.2 km courses, contributing points towards their team score.
All children who participated in the race did amazingly well and parents and friends turned out in force to support the children participating in the event.
Medals were awarded for the first to complete the course in each team with a shield awarded for the individual winner of each of the four respective races as well as each member of the four winning teams and a team shield for the winning Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Boys and Senior Girls teams.
After the event had finished, all children refuelled by tucking into delicious hot dogs provided by the Beachborough Prep catering team, whilst the parents and supporters were treated to freshly, homemade shortbread, mince pies and warm drinks.
Mr Usher, Director of Sport at Beachborough Prep said School said of the event,
“At Beachborough Prep, we promote a Sports for All policy where we actively encourage mass participation in all of the team sports, we play.
All pupils in Forms III to VIII have the opportunity to represent the school in various fixtures which take place throughout the year. Three cross country sessions take place at lunch times throughout the week in which pupils in Forms III and IV (Mondays), V and VI (Fridays) and VII and VIII (Thursdays) have the opportunity to train on our 35 acres of school grounds in preparation for inter-school competitions, including our own Beachborough Run which takes place every year in December. The sessions are open to all pupils, regardless of running ability or whether they break into the school team, with many enjoying the opportunity to top up their fitness levels in a social setting on a weekly basis.
As well as the physical benefits which running brings, it also helps with pupils’ mental well-being with improved concentration in the classroom for children based in both the Boardman and the Manor House areas of the school and we evidently see a boost to individuals’ self-esteem.”
We are proud of all participants in their efforts on what was a challenging day weather-wise and, a special mention must go to the Beachborough Prep pupils who showed their commitment to the school and our school motto ‘Conemur Tenues Grandia’ (although we are small, let us try for great things). Well done to all, we are looking forward to the next event already!
