The athletics team continues to thrive under the expert guidance and support of Mr. Shaw and Mr. Latham. Pancho, a key member of the team, has recently been selected to represent Surrey County in the UK Inter-counties’ Cross Country Championships in Nottingham, wrote the race report below:
‘Yesterday’s race was fantastic! It was an early 5:00 AM start for the coach ride to Wollaton Park in Nottingham, and I was really excited about the race. I represented Tiffin and Hercules Wimbledon at the UK CAU Inter-counties in the U17 Men’s final, against Scottish and Welsh athletes, competing in the same team as Team GB athlete Alex Lennon.
The weather was excellent, and the sun set the scene for a warm, much dryer race than expected. Despite starting at the back of the pen, I pulled off a tactical masterclass, starting off comfortably up the starting hill and slotting myself into a comfortable position, cruising through the first 4 kilometres.
Coming towards the last 2 kilometres, I decided to start a move, revving up the pace more and more, overtaking people one by one. Eventually, with 500m to go, I decided to start a full send up the last hill, where I overtook at least 25 people. I knew it was going to hurt, but I ploughed up that final hill and kicked as fast as I could as I came down the final straight into the finish.
I ended in a respectable 31st in the UK out of 290 and 5th in Surrey, only 4 seconds away from 3rd in Surrey and 2 seconds away from 4th.
I had given it my all. I planned out my race the day before and I wanted to make all the hard sessions, the unforgivable defeats, and the years of race experience to use.
A couple of minutes after the race, I was delighted to hear the news that our county had won the UK Inter-counties’ Championships, just edging over Yorkshire in 2nd by just one point! Every position really did matter, and I was delighted to accomplish such a feat at the grand finale of a very eventful Cross-Country Season.
Now the focus moves onto the track season, where I hope to qualify for Bulgaria Internationally!’
For anyone curious about his speed, Pancho is currently clocking an impressive 16-minute Parkrun time!
Congratulations, Pancho! We wish you all the best in your future races.
Mrs Shoebridge
Head of Psychology
