A determination to win a race he lost last year was motivation for Napier Boys’ High School athlete Ollie Marshall to cross the finish line first in the Cornford Cup Road Race.
The road race is a handicap road running race where the Year 9’s start 300m in front of the older boys. The senior boys run a total of 4.2km chasing the younger boys.
To add to the competition, the race is the last inter-house event for the year. The boys get points for their house as they finish.
The year 13 made it to the front of the race to take line honours in a time of 12minutes 40seconds, with Reid Livingston not far behind him.
Up-and-coming year 9 runners George McHardy and Max Wildbore finished in 3rd equal with a time of 13.21, and Gene Court (Year 12) came in 4th place.
Ollie Marshall said he was “pleased” to win the race, after coming in second last year. The previous three years had seen him take out the top honours.
While everyone goes into the race with the intention of winning, Ollie says he just wanted to do “as well” as he could.
Reid set the fast pace trying to break Ollie.
“It was a lot faster than I thought it would be, that’s for sure. The splits were very fast which was unexpected,” Ollie said. He prefers shorter distance races, namely 1500m.
Max said it was “fun” being chased by the older boys. With one kilometre to go, Ollie and Reid caught up to them. The race was made better by the “good” conditions and no wind.
For his first time competing in the road race, he was happy with his result. George says he found it “quick and easy”.
NBHS Deputy Headmaster and athletics master, Bruce Smith said it was a “very exciting” race with several strong runners in each age group.
The goal of the race is whether the year 13s can catch the year 9s and beat them to the finish line.
The prestigious Cornford Cup is one of the oldest trophies at Napier Boys’ High School and dates back to 1885. Although, it has been used for different races over the years.
The school’s top runners recently competed at the Wellington Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships in preparation for the National Championships on September 19.
Mr Smith said it was fierce competition, with about 60 boys in peak condition, fighting it out across the course.
Ollie came in second place, just behind the national champion. Despite tripping over twice, Max managed to finish strong in third place.
Ollie said it was a “good confidence booster” ahead of September’s race.
