With heavy rain in preceding days, the course for the annual cross country match between the College and OBs for the Bostelmann Trophy on 18 March this year was a purist’s dream of rivulets, waterlogged woods and swathes of mud.

Although the rain held off for the race and the temperature was mild, the wet and slippery conditions provided further challenges for OBs perhaps more used to racing on less rigorous terrain of park runs and road-based 10Ks and half marathons. 

The College quickly showed the dominance of youth and talent over its older adversaries with four students soon breaking away from the rest of the field up Scratchface. The trailing good-for-age veteran OBs - average age just over 55 - contented themselves in mid order with their own mini-battles coming out of the woods just below the M4 and back along Scratchface Lane, with Jon Salmon (B 1973-78) at that stage catching David Bostelmann (A 1994-99). David’s father is Michael Bostelmann (A 1961-66), whose past and continuing support for the OB cross country club is recognised by the trophy.

An added obstacle of a shooting party emerging from woodland just before Rushall Copse and inadvertently blocking the path meant swift avoiding action for some runners as they picked up the pace downhill to Back Lane for the start of the return journey to the finishing line. 

In the latter half of the 5.46 mile race, the mud took its toll on heavy legs and the field opened up with College students Luke and Cass building an easy distance between them and chasing student Peter, with Luke emerging as race victor in a very impressive time of 36:44. In the OB team, David managed to strongly claw back, convincingly burning Jon off in the last 30 metres in front of the Stunt Pavilion to become first OB across the line. Not far behind Jeremy Winter (F 1967-72) narrowly failed to catch Ted from the College team, with Ed Talbot (E 1982-87) crossing the line under a minute behind and Richard Pollock (H 1984-89) completing the OB team a couple of minutes later.

A convincing victory for the College was marked with a tea at the Pavilion, attended by Michael Bostelmann and at which Luke was presented with the Bostelmann Trophy as first runner home by Tony Henderson (E 1979-84),   former OB running captain who was unfortunately unable to run due to injury. Current OB captain Adam Robinson (G 2011-16) was also unable to run as he was away on holiday.

Many thanks to the College for hosting the Bostelmann Trophy race again and for providing a post-race tea in the pavilion.

The final results were: 1. Luke, College, 36:44; 2. Cass, College, 37:11; 3. Peter, College, 40:15; 4. Henry, College, 41:34; 5. David Bostelmann (OB) 43:07; 6. Jon Salmon (OB) 43:14; 7. Ted, College, 43:48; 8. Jeremy Winter (OB) 44:05; 9. Ed Talbot (OB) 45:15; 10. Richard Pollock (OB) 47:22; 11. Jo, College, 53:01; 12. Maryam, College, 53:02

If you are interested in running with the OB Running Club please keep an eye out for new events posted at OB Running Club and contact the captain Adam Robinson adamrobinson199@hotmail.com to be added to the club’s social media accounts.