Somerhill team pride was back alongside glorious September sunshine for the Brenchley cross-country Relays at St Ronan’s Prep on Friday. Magnificent runs from our Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 athletes saw Somerhill secure 1st place – and the winning trophies – in both the boys’ and girls’ events.
The format for the Brenchley cross-country, set amongst the rolling Hawkhurst hills, was slightly different than usual relay events with one pupil from each year group (5, 6, 7 and 8) representing each team.
With no Year 7 and 8 girls, St Ronan’s agreed we could select our current fastest female runners consisting of Flo, Sienna, Erin T and Erin M (all year 6). Flo went out like a rocket on the first leg, handing over to Sienna, just inches behind the leader. Sienna had a magnificent run holding position and passing over to Erin T who stormed the uphill section to take the lead. Last leg was Erin M who held her nerve, opened the gap and crossed the line with over a minute to spare. The pink procession of YC boys cheering the girls up the hilly finishing stretch was a sight to see (and hear!). An astounding team achievement for our girls given Erin and Erin were running a longer course against Years 7 and 8.
Next up on the same course, same format, were the boys, who all put in outstanding performances – cheered on by our rather high-pitched girls (so loud they could be heard by the runners in the woods). Somerhill As Alasdair (year 5), Luca (year 6), Huw (year 7) and Jack (year 8) stormed home in 1st place to take the winners’ trophy, beating Sevenoaks Prep and Vinehall respectively. Gritty running from all four boys kept them in the lead from the outset; Luca’s performance earning him fastest runner in the Years 5 and 6 category. Gutsy runs from Isaac (year 5), Ted (year 6), Jonty (year 7) and Gabriel (year 8) brought the Somerhill Bs home in 4th place amongst a highly competitive field of Kent prep schools.
Conditions on the day were perfect, with hills, woods and sprint sections to challenge every runner. And, with many Somerhill parents at the event, all cheering on our fleet of athletes alongside their sons and daughters, it was a truly memorable and long-awaited team cross-country performance, and one that I am very proud of. Well done boys and girls!
