On Tuesday 3rd March, Northbourne Park School hosted, in its extensive grounds and woodlands, the annual Stevens & Wainman IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) cross-country competition for local schools.
Every year since 1968, Northbourne Park School has hosted this prestigious event in the school calendar and this year Northbourne Park runners were joined by competitors from Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Kent College, Sandwich Technology School, Sevenoaks, St.Edmund’s, Wellesley House, St.Ronan’s and St. Lawrence College.
The competition comprises of two races, Stevens Cup (Boys) now in it’s 47th year, and the Wainman Cup (Girls) now running for its 36th year.
If the start of the day was anything to base the weather upon, then it promised to be almost saturating – the runners may have wanted to swap their running spikes for goggles and snorkles!! However by 11am the weather Gods were thankfully beginning to shine down on us!
Last year the track was at its muddiest and yet this year it was decidedly the most technical and muddy that the course has ever been.
Former Northbourne Park School pupil, Louis Glynn-Williams, currently a GAP student at St Ronan’s School, was persuaded to come back to this event and run as the hare for the boy’s race, completing the course in 7th position.
The afternoon was full of great rivalries and much tenacity, resolve and sheer determination. This was evident from every competitor and this is why cross-country is such a great sporting discipline.
Craig Riley, Director of Sports said: “This was a superb afternoon of rivalry and competition. Competitors are on their own, and it is easy to give up and just walk, therefore great character and personality is required to keep on going despite the pain. Well done to all competitors.”
