Pupils impress at cross-country event
Coopers Coborn pupils made a big impression on their first appearance at the annual Knole Run.
The Upminster School took their senior cross-country teams to Sevenoaks to compete in the event and saw Lydia Hallam claim victory in the girls race.
Hallam led the field of 160 runners from the early stages of the 3.1 mile event and held off a late challenge from a Knole rival in an exciting downhill finish to take gold.
Isobel Ives was not far behind in fifth place, with Katie Mitchell (34th), Rebecca Brown (38th), Emily Marshall (50th) and Lois Wyatt (96th) helping Coopers finish third in the team standings, in a field of 28.
The boys squad was slightly understrength due to injuries but produced a committed display over a challenging 5.8-mile circuit.
Matthew Braybrook was the first Coopers pupil home in 54 place, in a field of 304 runners, with Ben Dance (58th) not far behind.
Ben Davis (89th), Tom Dance (112th), year nine pupil Tom Keevil (118th) and Sean Wilson (197th) also ran well as Coopers finished 13th overall in a high-class event.
Assistant headteacher Mark Duncan said: “It is the first year we have been invited to this historic race and involves some of the very best independent schools from around the country, including Charterhouse, Wellington College and Brighton College.
“The boys race is now in its 41st year and the girls race in its 19th year and they are set in the magnificent location of Knole Park, which features grazing deer and the royal Knole House as a backdrop.
“The course is one of the hardest on the school fixture list with muddy terrain including two very substantial hills. But it was a very enjoyable event, with all athletes commenting on the tangible sense of achievement for completing such a challenging course.
“The focus is now on the remaining races of the season including the Radley Relays, the year seven and eight8 Essex Championships and the South East Schools Championships at Harrow School after half term.”
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