Page 2 - NPSCC Programme

Welcome to Malvern College
Welcome to the 28th National Preparatory Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Malvern. It is always an enormous pleasure to see so many enthusiastic pupils, staff and parents visiting our school. We are very grateful for the support we have received from officials from Gloucester AC, Cheltenham and County Harriers and Bristol and West AC to help organise the event. Good luck to everyone taking part. Each runner will receive a commemorative T-Shirt at the end of their race and there is the traditional prize-giving of trophies and shields for individuals and teams at the end
of the day. We would also like
to acknowledge the support of the Malvern Hills Trust who have assisted us in arranging this event and allowed us to run across Malvern Common.
With my best wishes
Keith Metcalfe
Headmaster Malvern College
Points to Note
• Registration: The designated teacher should register teams at the Race Hub on the Grub Lawn. For location please see the map on the back page of this programme .
• Two members of staff should accompany each school – it is essential that one be located at the start of the race on the Common and one should be at the
finish in case runners become injured, unwell or lost.
• In the event of lost children or lost property, please contact the Reception in the foyer of the Sports Complex . The phone number is 01684 581681.
• Course & Start: We have had a very
wet winter in Malvern and have had to significantly change the race route for this year. We strongly advise all competitors to
walk the course beforehand. The start will be particularly challenging with a long uphill stretch that will probably thin the field out quite quickly. It will be important that your teams are organised on the start line with the fastest runners at the head of your starting lane.
• Footwear: Advice from the local athletics and cross country authorities is that lots of runners may prefer to wear spikes.
As mentioned, the start is a long uphill stretch, and then flattens out before downhill sections to the finish. There will still be some running on sealed surfaces, but on balance our advisors suggest that spikes will be more advantageous over the length of the course than trail running shoes. Please do all that you can to ensure your team are equipped with the appropriate footwear.