The first major highlight of the academic year, House Cross Country 2026, took place on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. The entire school gathered on the grounds of Longford Hall, our Junior Boarding House, for an event that continues to be one of the most anticipated fixtures in the school calendar.
The nerves beforehand were palpable, matched only by the sense of achievement and elation at the finish line. The atmosphere was electric throughout, with senior pupils cheering on juniors and juniors returning the favour later in the afternoon, creating a wonderful sense of camaraderie and house spirit.
While running is often viewed as an individual challenge, House Cross Country is very much a team event. Individual performances contribute towards a collective house score, making every runner's effort valuable. The Dr Dolding Cup, awarded for participation, was won by Talbot House, with an impressive 91% of Talbot pupils crossing the finish line.
Race Results
Junior Race
1st: Darwin
2nd: Talbot
3rd: Webb
Intermediate Race
1st: Darwin
Joint 2nd: Sa'adu and Webb
Senior Race
1st: Sa'adu
2nd: Webb
3rd: Talbot
Overall House Competition
1st: Darwin
2nd: Sa'adu
3rd: Webb
This year's competition was particularly memorable as Darwin House made history, winning the overall House Cross Country title for the first time since reliable records began in 2006.
The individual winners of the Senior Race, William Hughes and Elia Roman, both representing Darwin House, were presented with the Jones Shield by Mr Jones, during Friday's celebration assembly.
For making the event such a success, a huge thank you goes to the PE team, maintenance, St John’s Ambulance, the PTA, photographer, videographer and staff who acted as marshals, recorders and scorers.
A photo album of the day can be viewed on Flickr: House Cross Country 2026.
