Cross Country

Cross Country takes place in both the Christmas and the Easter terms.

The Christmas term follows a now fairly well-established pattern. Tuesdays are devoted to “speed” sessions: relays, repetition runs (including the much loved “Mountjoy laps”), pyramids, the steps (the only incline in the school grounds), “devil-take-the-hindmost” and “hares and hounds”. On Thursdays we generally go off-campus. In September and early October the beach is a favourite destination, though as the weather deteriorates we find ourselves in Wareham Forest, Ferndown Forest, on the Castlemain trail or taking part in one of the monthly League races which Canford organises for the schools in the area. Saturday is an option day when runners may choose between going for a run or going to the gym where the weights/fitness room is a popular destination. This last year we also competed in a local schools cross-country league, and our senior boys won it!

In the Easter term we have a full programme of races ranging from short relays (at Bryanston, Clayesmore and our own Canford Park relay) to longer affairs (Sherborne, Milton Abbey, Downside, Kingswood). Interspersed are the county, regional and national schools’ championships for those runners who qualify. The Dorset Independent Schools Cross Country Organisation (DISCCO) runs a league within the races during the term where the best five performances from seven nominated races count.

We also stage the Canford Park Junior Relays for Prep and Middle Schools as well as a match for Old Canfordians and Parents on the final Sunday of term. We also stage a cross country meeting for Special Schools in Dorset.

We are fortunate to have five coaches who can join in the training sessions and inspire the pupils on to ever greater heights!