Cross-Country. A sport purely for the truly dedicated, who, once again, enrolled to travel that, marathon road of 'Mud, Sweat, and Tears'.
It proved to be a demanding season with a staggering twelve fixtures for the Open Team, in which only our arch-rivals Dover College were to gain victory over us. The, school-produced its best run ever at the Knole Run, and we also had six representatives running for the S E Kent Team at the County Championships.
Effort and attitude are very important in the life of a runner, and-the continual training during the-week combined, with the Sunday circuit sessions were to prove quite demanding. Although the group-discipline was of a higher standard than in previous years, there is still room for improvement especially in the region of priorities outside interests, must take a step back, and those involved must give their all.
The new school course which provides a beautiful landscape view of the Kent Coastline proved shattering to the opposition and also to one or two of us. May I pay tribute to the old faithfuls who have helped us for successive seasons, namely Rich Colquhoun and Mike Waite, also our team coaches Major Knapman and Mr Hancock who did a splendid job in encouraging us throughout the season, and put up with our fraying temperaments and unspoken abuse. Thanks also to Major Lee who dealt with the organisation of markers -for our- lengthy course most efficiently, thus eradicating the fury incurred over the bad marking produced by other schools.
The experienced young blood of this years open team have the key to successes next season, not forgetting the strong running of our unbeaten intermediate, side, who we hope will be our open team stars of the future.
Although I hand up my shoes as Captain, they will not rest long, for man cannot escape the beauty, of this sport.. Despite the strain and tears, the old faces always return to persevere once more I wish my successor much luck and hope he and his team gain the success they rightly deserve.
Life, like Cross-Country, goes on, and never has life been so good.
M.Skinner