Saturday 16th September 2023 was a very warm day at Wimbledon Common. And an even hotter day for the UK OD Cross-Country runners. 13 of them came together to take on the best of the UK alumni associations and, building on five years of continuous improvement, came out on top. About 250 runners from 45 schools competed, so this was a fantastic achievement, with congratulations to all our OD athletes and in particular Dillon McEvoy (S, 2005). Dillon corralled the team, motivated them, designed the splendid running vests and then came fourth himself (click the results page below to enlarge)
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| The results say it all!! |
The run takes place on the Common over 5 miles and is normally held in early December. Early-December is normally well into a wet winter which means tricky and muddy conditions. This year, in mid-September and completely off its weather routine thanks to climate change (and possibly Brexit), the Common was bone dry which turned the event into something of a road race with slightly more unpredictable terrain.
Which didn't put our warriors off in the slightest, churning up the opposition as if they were mud.
After the race, we headed off to The Telegraph, a posh pub on Putney Heath where fluids and solids (in unequal measure) were taken to restore hydration, equilibrium and good cheer.
The ODs who ran were: Dillon, Brett Ormrod (M, 2007), Doug Mallett (M, 2007), Chris McPetrie (M, 2010), Nic Boswell (S, 2010), Adrian Kritzinger (F, 2006), Rob Brink (K, 2013), Mike Cockburn (F, 2006), Rupert Tripp (F, 2010), Warren Handley (G, 2010), Mike Leach (S, 2008), Joe Miller (S, 2012) and Justin Thorne (F, 2007). John Thuysbaert (W, 2003) is a pillar of the team, but a week or so ago decided to throw himself off his mountain bike somewhere in the Alps which rendered him off-sport for the race. But he was there to lend support to the chaps and, well, we can see the impact that had. Next year, John.
Congratulations to all of you, not just for turning out, but, for most, for turning out after the UK Annual Dinner the night before and then doing so incredibly well.
WE WON!!
Click on the photos to enlarge.
PRE-MATCH PREP
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| The Merchandise |
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Resplendent in our new (recycled and sustainable material) running vests: back: Rupert Tripp, Mike Leach, Joe Miller, Justin Thorne, Adrian Kritzinger, Rob Brink
Front: Nic Boswell, Mike Cockburn, Dillon McEvoy, Doug Mallett and Brett Ormrod
Inset: Warren Handley and Chris McPetrie |
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| Limbering up before the start |
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| Joe Miller limbering up before the limbering up |
THE RACE
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| They're off ...! And our boys starting strongly. |
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| Dillon McEvoy (4th) and Brett Ormrod (8th) discussing why it takes the others so long to get home |
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| The final 100 metres: Dillon McEvoy, Brett Ormrod, Warren Handley and Rob Brink |
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| Mike Leach, Adrian Kritzinger, Doug Mallett and Rupert Tripp |
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| Joe Miller, Justin Thorne, Nic Boswell, Chris McPetrie and Mike Cockburn |
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| Adrian Kritzinger congratulating Joe Miller in front of a bemused Warren Handley who beat them both |
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| Nic Boswell and Mike Leach looking cheerful 20 minutes after the race |
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| Mike Leach, Warren Handley, Rob Brink and Nic Boswell looking even more cheerful 30 minutes after the race |
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Despite certain reservations about the absorbency of the vests, it is not obvious in this photo that the boys were absolutely soaked through.
Back: Mike Leach, Dillon McEvoy, Adrian Kritzinger, Mike Cockburn, Justin Thorne, Chris McPetrie, (inset: Nic Boswell)
Front: Doug Mallett, Rob Brink, Brett Ormrod, Joe Miller and Rupert Tripp
THEN TO THE PUB FOR THE POST-RUN WELL-EARNED CELEBRATION
 | | Tara Berwin, Nic Boswell, Mike Cockburn, Justin Thorne, Joe Miller and Adrian Kritzinger |
 | | Justin Thorne, Joe Miller and Adrian Kritzinger |
 | | Warren Handley, Brett Ormrod, Justin Thorne, Joe Miller and Chris McPetrie |
 | | Rupert Tripp, Warren Handley and Brett Ormrod |
 | | Nic Boswell and Mike Cockburn and Anri Horne |
 | | Adrian Kritzinger, Tara Berwin and Dillon McEvoy |
 | | "O Captain! My Captain! ... the prize we sought is won ...": Dillon McEvoy providing some inspirational thoughts for 2024 (including "don't have the UK Dinner the night before") |
 | | John Thuysbaert and Justin Thorne |
 | Top from left to right: Chris McPetrie, Warren Handley, Mike Cockburn; Doug Mallett and Justin Thorne; Brett Ormrod, Dillon McEvoy and John Thuysbaert
Bottom: Dillon McEvoy and Mike Leach; Mano Ghioules and Mike Cockburn; Dillon McEvoy, Mano Ghioules, Mike Cockburn and Nic Boswell |
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