The vast majority of our boys take part in at least one of our major sports: rugby, hockey, cricket or rowing. In addition to these major four, there is also a multitude of opportunities for boys to try out a wide range of other sports within the extra-curricular programme.
One of the sports on offer is cross country, which continues to be one of the most challenging sports for young people. With most races held during the winter months, it requires grit, determination and resilience, as well as a fair amount of strategy, to succeed.
We have seen some great cross country runners at Bedford School over the years, with many of our boys doing well at regional level competitions and a number of our elite runners going on to race for England at international level.
District Cross-Country
This season is looking very promising so far with a number of successes right across the school. January saw some impressive results at the school District Cross Country, held at Sharnbrook Upper School, with Fourth Formers Lucian Davis and Sam Barnes taking second place and sixth place respectively in the junior races. Twin brothers Edward and James Dagg in the Remove Form came in second and third places in the intermediate race, with only six seconds between them. They were followed closely by Fifth Former Hari Mistry, who finished fourth.
Meanwhile, in the senior race, Upper Sixth Former Alex Moffat broke the ribbon with a fabulous run taking first place on the podium. Lower Sixth Former Tom Deardon was not far behind finishing in seventh place.
County Cross-Country
There were some excellent performances from our runners at the County Cross Country Championships held at Ampthill Park on 9 February. Eight boys from the squad of 13 qualified to represent Bedfordshire at the National Schools competition, which will be held on Saturday 19 March.
All boys taking part deserve credit for giving of their best over what was a very hilly and challenging course. However, special mention must go to Danny Chapman and Sam Barnes, who came in fifth and sixth places respectively in the junior race, and Alex Moffat, who came in fourth place in the senior boys. The Dagg brothers also secured their places in the National Schools Competition, with Edward coming in third and James in fourth place.
Edward told us, “My time was 19:21 over 5km and James’s was 19:27. However, the racecourse was very hilly and it was up and down most of the race. I was quite pleased with my result as I have not trained properly in two years because I find it very hard to fit it in around other sports such as football, hockey and cricket.”
Edward and James have been running since Y3 when their PE teacher entered them for athletics and cross-country races because they were so quick. They went to the English School’s Championship to represent Bedfordshire in 2020, where Edward came first out of the Bedfordshire boys, and James came second.
Edward explained that he enjoys running because it helps clear his mind. “I always feel good after a run. I enjoy competing against my brother as it challenges me and it drives us both to do better because we both want to beat each other.”