ASL runners get into their stride

Earlier this week, the ASL Winter Running Club journeyed up the M40 to Oxford to compete at the prestigious Radley Relays cross-country meet at Radley College. Sixteen ASL student-athletes were selected to take part and placed into four four-person relay teams. Each runner ran two miles over muddy and hilly terrain before handing over the baton to a teammate. The team was fortunate to have unseasonably warm weather and competed under clear skies. Radley College attracted 20 schools, including Eton, Harrow, Abingdon, Coopers and Southend, who, together, fielded a total of 66 relay teams. 

Our dedicated runners have been training three times a week as a team since November. With limited opportunities to travel owing to COVID restrictions, the club was delighted to grasp a fantastic opportunity to race cross-country during the winter season, a period when English schools typically train and race.  

Our junior boys "A" team finished in sixth place out of 19 teams, with a combined time of 50:43. Despite being in the youngest category of racers, this team outpaced 42 other teams at Radley! Not to be outdone, our junior boys "B" team finished in 10th place, with a combined time of 53:12. 

Our Intermediate boys team had the fastest overall time for ASL, running 49:49 and taking eighth place in their category. Our junior girls team ran extremely well in the conditions and finished in sixth place in their age group. 

Phil Tiller ’96 P ’25 ’28 ’30 (ASL 2017-present), Grade 2 teacher and running coach, said, "There are huge benefits to training with a team. We are able to motivate one another and keep each other accountable. I have seen a steady and consistent increase in our runners’ fitness and determination. I started this program this year in an effort to provide some further opportunities for those student-athletes who love running.”

Following this week’s event at Radley, Phil continued, “I was incredibly proud of the way our runners conducted themselves, bringing their full focus to this event. I was pleased to witness their support for one another and to see how they embraced the opportunity to race against some of the top teams in the southeast of England. To have the race director seek me out and invite our team back next year is the ultimate compliment. We were so pleased to have been invited to Radley and we look forward to returning in 2023 with an even larger team representation from ASL in a hunt for even better results!” 

The ASL Winter Running Club is a non-selective group that welcomes anyone with a desire to improve their running and stamina, and be part of a great team.