Cuppers 2025
On the 25th October, Cross Country Cuppers returned to South Park. After a few weeks of termtime training, it was time for the first real test of the season. A questionably marked course and four/six long hills lay ahead. 8-time course veteran Thomas Renshaw complained the final bend was unusually sharp.
We kicked off with the women’s race, led out by Rebecca Flaherty (St Catherine’s) and Ella Davey (Pembroke). After sharing a few kilometres, the Cuppers 2024 winner made a break, proving that world mountain running champions really can run up hills. Meanwhile fresher Ella continued to a convincing second place, followed by Sophie Glencross (St Hilda’s) in 3rd. A bronze medal is an impressive upgrade on Sophie’s eighth place finish last year; with this and a 1:23 half to her name in recent weeks, she’s definitely one to watch. Hanna Andrejczuk (Lincoln) and Anika Schwarze-Chintapatla (Trinity) completed the top five, and there were further strong performances across the field.
Then the men set off, one Olympian down versus last year’s race. Four leaders formed a pack in the early stages: two blues, one tortoise, and a Nerds gummy cluster lover. Eventually, Chris Parker (Corpus Christi) and Alex Gruen (Keble) broke away, before Chris delivered a dominant final lap to seal his victory. I believe this makes him the first undergraduate men’s winner since 2017. Not far behind, Alex improved on three previous third place finishes to come in second, with Jack Johnson (Corpus Christi) in 3rd. Grahm Gaydos (Exeter) and Thomas Renshaw (St Hugh’s) crossed the line in 4th and 5th respectively, seemingly uninhibited by the hairpin up to the finish.
Well done to all who raced! The bar has been set, and all eyes now turn to Shotover, St. Neots, and Wimbledon Common. Particular thanks must go to our wonderful official, Alan Vincent, and to Will Worthy and Ellie Hall for being our fantastic co-directors.