IC runners embrace EC
As the sun crept up on Saturday fifteenth, the IC cross country club flickered into action. Yellow-arse rejoiced about the perfect blue sky for half an hour, whilst others nursed their hangovers or cracked open another beverage. One hundred-and-fifty foreigners were left to sleep in the Southside Gym as we prepared for the day’s events.
Once again, the prestigious Hyde Park Relays were upon IC, causing havoc and nearly destruction for the weekend. facilities for the day were set up and registration started at eleven. In typical style, no-one showed up until half twelve where upon chaos ensued. By one we had a field of six hundred competitors.
A minor catch was an unmarked course five minutes before the start. Emergency measures were taken with last-minute strategic positioning of parents/runners and flags enabling competitors to negotiate their way around the Serpentine.
Yellow-arse lead for the first mile (on his bike) clearing the course of obstructions (children/dogs/pedestrians). IC’s Pony Tail impressively hurdled the carnage to lead the front runners. Unfortunately, this domination of the race was short lived, probably thanks to the influence of the Dutch team and debauchery in the bar on the previous three nights. Another factor was Gaffer missing his change-over (this is a relay race) having got carried away with himself in the loo. However, IC’s ladies shone on the day, achieving the third best time for a team, with Jennie Cox topping her field with just over eleven minutes for a lap of the Serpentine. Our B team ironically were surpassed by the C team having clocked a time comparable to the age of the universe. They still beat Kings, which is what counts.
The Bristol team, having recently come second in the BUSA championships, captured the spirit of the day with outstanding times and yet a lighthearted approach. Oxford and Cambridge came second and third, with IC’s A team nineteenth.
Afterwards teas were dished out and prizes presented. Everyone then proceeded with the consumption of much beer and a party. Boat racing was officiated in the union foyer, with Gaffer at the helm. following a minor indiscretion with a member of the Leeds team the afforementioned athlete was showered with at least three pints of beer. Events then became a bit hazy.
A student might consider this a normal series of events for a Saturday night, but the difference here is that this was organised by IC students for a race which is renowned throughout Europe’s running community. None of this would have been possible without the help of the union, security, St Johns, RAG, marshals and the members of IC cross-country - thank you. The difficulty of organising one of the largest European student relays cannot be appreciated by observing the surface of the event, without the above people it would have been impossible.
Preparations for next year’s event are already underway, as it is the fiftieth anniversary. There are hopes for an all-star team, indeed Seb Coe and David Moorcroft are two of the more famous runners to have raced here. Well done to everyone who helped or entered, this was an unforgettable experience.
