Facing the elements during an unusually cold and wet March, cross country runners from each of the School’s 11 houses navigated an undulating and uneven course, caked in mud, to compete for the 2023 Bringsty Relays crown. Despite no individual glory, Dryden’s teamwork and consistency paid off, securing them top spot with a total cumulative time of 1h27’29’’, just three seconds ahead of Wren’s and six seconds faster than Purcell’s.

For the second year in a row, Nicholas (Lower Shell, GG) stormed to victory for Grant’s in the Junior race, with a time of 6’07”, improving on last year’s and setting the quickest circuit time of the event. The Senior Girls’ race was won by Liddell’s, with Elodie (Remove, LL) achieving a time of 7’27”, almost a minute faster than second place, whilst in the Senior Boys’ race, Sam’s (Remove, RR) time of 6’23” led to a Rigaud’s triumph in a closely disputed circuit race. By category the girls’ team winners were Liddell’s; the senior boys’ – Rigaud’s; and the Junior boys’ – Grant’s.

Westminster’s long-standing Bringsty Relays commemorate the running on Bringsty Common, when the School was evacuated to Herefordshire during the Second World War.

Junior category winner Nicholas said: “The Bringsty Relays is a challenging course due to mud (not helped by rain on the day) and some steep inclines and descents. However, this, alongside the great sense of team spirit, makes it a more interesting and, at least for me, enjoyable running event. The whole team put in a fantastic effort, and it was great to win the Junior category for Grant’s, especially since we lost a team member to illness on the morning.

Senior boys winner Sam, said: “I enjoyed doing the Bringsty relay. My teammates put me into a very good position and I’m glad I could get Rigaud’s the category win.”

Senior girls winner Elodie, said: “Despite the cold and muddy conditions, it was great to represent Liddell’s and help secure a win in the girls’ category in one of the final house sports fixtures of the term.”