Cross Country is offered to students from Grade 3 through to Matric. Runners of all age groups enjoy successful seasons each year in the schools’ leagues and several of our athletes shine at provincial and national level.
Runners are well trained by our coaches and participate in races in and around the wider Johannesburg area as well as in InterHouse and other campus events.
PREP SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
The Prep School Cross-country season kicks off with the hosting of our annual InterHouse Cross Country where all students from Grade 1 to Grade 7 participate. With marshals along the carefully demarcated route, the finishing arch as well as prizes to the top three finishers in each age group, our campus is transformed into a first-class event.
Cross Country encourages students from Grade 3 to Grade 7 to participate in the weekly league meetings run during May and June. Runners participate in seven races at venues across Johannesburg, including the picturesque Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary, Marks Park, St Dunstan’s and SAHETI.
Practices take place in the early morning before school as well as the afternoons. For those runners hoping to go even further, athletes are given the opportunity to compete in District run-offs during July and August. Races are against all government schools and feature some 150 runners. Selection for district and provincial teams is made at these events.
Karen Da Costa
Head of Prep School Cross Country
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Our High School Cross-country runners train together as one team but compete in the following age group categories:
- Junior boys: U14 & U15
- Junior girls: U14 & U15
- Senior boys: U16 to Open
- Senior girls: U16 to Open
The Cross-country season starts in March in Term 1 and runs through to June. Meets are on Mondays and Fridays at various locations in northern Johannesburg. There are five to six meets in the season, which then culminates in the Inter-District competition where the top ten runners (based on places) are selected to compete. Our Dainfern College Cross-country team has had top runners in every age group in the district for the past two years.
Nicole du Toit
Head of High School Cross Country