Over 200 members of the local community turned out to support over 130 runners from school years 1-6. There were 12 races in total with the distance ranging from a distance of 700m for the younger years through to 1,700 metres for the Year 6 groups.

The course was set out across The Oratory School’s 100 acres of rural countryside in Woodcote, Oxfordshire. The Grounds Team had been busy battling January storms and waterlogged areas just days before the event was due to take place, so everyone was thankful when Saturday was greeted with glorious sunshine and excellent running conditions.

Throughout the day, it was all hands on deck as Oratory students and staff helped oversee the event, volunteering as race hares, marshalls and tuck shop sellers, while the majority of school enjoyed a well-deserved Exeat weekend. 

Congratulations to the following winners:

Year 1 Girls
1st Place: Jessica (Trinity Primary)
2nd Place: Emily (Caversham Primary)
3rd Place: Oria (Trinity Primary)

Year 1 Boys
1st Place: Theo (Trinity Primary)
2nd Place: Isaac (Sonning Common Primary)
3rd Place: Noah (Whitchurch Primary)

Year 2 Girls
1st Place: Sienna (Nettlebed Primary)
2nd Place: Penny (Goring Primary)
3rd Place: Lilly (Oratory Prep School)

Year 2 Boys
1st Place: Joshua (Shiplake Primary)
2nd Place: Albie (Nettlebed Primary)
3rd Place: George (Trinity Primary)

Year 3 Girls
1st Place: Anwen (Goring Primary)
2nd Place: Freya (Kidmore End Primary)
3rd Place: Ada (Goring Primary)

Year 3 Boys
1st Place: Wilf (Kidmore End Primary)
2nd Place: Josh (Moulsford Prep School)
3rd Place: Luca (Englefield Primary)

Year 4 Girls
1st Place: Isobel (Trinity Primary)
2nd Place: Sophie (Oratory Prep School)
3rd Place: Willow (Checkendon Primary)

Year 4 Boys
1st Place: Teddy (Kidmore End Primary)
2nd Place: James (Moulsford Prep School)
3rd Place: George (Mouslford Prep School)

Year 5 Girls
1st Place: Teddy (Rupert House)
2nd Place: Ellie (Sacred Heart Primary)
3rd Place: Maisie (Trinity Primary)

Year 5 Boys
1st Place: Raif (Moulsford Prep School)
2nd Place: Thomas (Caversham Primary)
3rd Place: Barney (Oratory Prep School)

Year 6 Girls
1st Place: Ruby (Peppard Primary)
2nd Place: Lilly (Oratory Prep School)
3rd Place: Grace (Oratory Prep School)

Year 6 Boys
1st Place: Lucas (Moulsford Prep School)
2nd Place: Harvey (Griffin House)
3rd Place: Gabriel (Moulsford Prep School)

Steve Tomlinson, Director of Sport, says “Thank you to everyone who came along and took part in our first event of this kind. Feedback was incredibly positive and we look forward to hosting more of these cross country runs in the future. Due to demand, we will also consider introducing races for the older Year 7 and 8 groups – watch this space!”

Mr Matthew Fogg, Acting Head of The Oratory says “The morning was incredible, and it was wonderful to be able to share our school grounds with members of our local community. The school was on Exeat over this weekend, so I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the Oratory students and staff who gave up their time to make this event happen.”

The Oratory is renowned for its sporting provision and success, and regularly win in rugby, football and hockey against much larger schools. An elite rugby programme was launched at the end of last year. However, the school’s sporting provision stretches far beyond traditional team games to include racquet sports, swimming, and personal fitness. Find out more at The Oratory’s next Open Morning on Saturday 1 March. To book your place, click here.