By Wg Cdr Dave Cole

The second fixture of the season took place at Shotover Country Park, hosted by the students of Oxford University. In bleak wet and windy weather conditions The RAF Team visited Shotover Park for this annual event against the university. Heavy rain the previous days and also on the day made the course a little slippy, but not as bad as you would think given the heavy rain. However, the biggest challenge is often finding the course as many RAF personnel have found to their cost over the years. However, this year, despite a few late arrivals, the RAF had solid men's and ladies teams. RAF officials again provide support and also supporting the teams was Air Cdre (Ret’d) John De`ath.

The Dark Blues had entered a considerable number of runners in each event and first up in the ladies race there was the usual charge at the start as youthful exuberance gets the better of them. The mood was lifted by the RAF W team being able to field a competitive team. Making their debut for the team were Fg Off Hannah Pike (Cosford) and SAC Naomi Hadley (Benson) who both raced extremely well in the difficult wet and windy conditions. The demands of the course, not helped by the poor marking and frequent wrong turns by the leading runners of the University team, placed Team Captain FS Tara Park (Digby) and Flt Lt Becky Griffith (Swanick Mil) in a commanding lead with just about a mile of the race remaining, but the strength of the dark blue vests of Oxford came through at the end. Completing the team line up were Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (Wittering) and Sgt Mandy Meechan (Halton). The Team prize went to Cambridge with 11 points and the RAF 43 points.

In the Men's race the university was well represented and straight from the start a number the Dark Blue runners moved to the front. Cpl Steve Frear (RAF Benson) moved position himself up the front and not far behind SAC Sam Mitchell (RAF Cosford) was running well. Further down the field was Wg Cdr Dave Cole (RAF High Wycombe). Steve battled hard but after 2 laps he finished a creditable 5th, Sam 9th and Dave 14th. Sgt Al Turnbull (RAF Brampton) continued his return to running after injury with a solid run in 21st. In the team race Oxford easily took the team prize with points and the RAF points

Team:

Oxford University: 11

RAFW: 43

Team:

Oxford University: 23

RAF: 122