Each year, the LSE Cross Country team enjoys a home advantage when we host the University of London Cross Country championships. This year, however, our home venue was unavailable due to it having been turned into a car park for the Olympic stadium. Bringing to bear formidable organizational skills and an unparalleled local knowledge of North London, team treasurer, Arthur Wadsworth, ensured that the race went ahead at an alternate, in many ways superior, course on

the grounds of the historic Alexandra Palace. We had hoped that shifting the race from December to February 8 would let us avoid the punishing snowy conditions that plagued last year’s fixture.

Wishful thinking!

On a course that featured packed ice, deep snow, and ample mud, Martin Holm once again led the men’s team, finishing eighth overall and claiming the University of London individual championship title. Captain, Nate Converse, and Chris Martin went one-two on the UCL two-man, ensuring victory over the squad from Bloomsbury, but were bested by Kings’ top two. Rounding out the team were Rasmus Weschke , making his first appearance in LSE yellow, purple, and black. In the end, despite maintaining an ample lead in the overall season’s standings, the LSE team finished second to rivals, Kings. The LSE second team brought honour to the north side of the Aldwych, however, with Andrew

Ehrich, Zimo Qi, and Seb Koh defeating the Kings’ seconds.

Fresh from representing the university of London at BUCS cross country championships the previous Saturday, Rebecca Tisdale led the LSE Women. Next across the line was fresher Rebecca Windemer,

taking a less than relaxing break from her alternate career with the LSE Rugby squad. Jess Lanney rounded out the team, defying a hamstring injury to break out a fierce final kick and come within a few metres of Kings’ Jo Smart. The team tied for third place on points, but were tragically kept off the

podium.

With only one race left to go in the cross country season, the Running Club’s focus is shifting to the

track. The athletics squad this week moved training to the track at Ladywell, which is conveniently

located—particularly for the Bankside mafia forming the core of the team. At the end of the month, the team will for the first time in recent memory compete at BUCS indoor championships not under the UOL umbrella, but rather proudly flying the LSE colours.