By Kimberly Chew Pei Min (Captain)
Cross country is not just about running for hours on end in the reservoir, nor is it just about doing countless laps around the track under the blazing hot sun. Beyond the fatigue and sweat, is a family, brought together by a passion for running, bonded through shared laughter, dedication and a desire to explore what it truly means to be an athlete.
Contrary to belief, we are not restricted to running endlessly on the track. We explore routes all over Singapore, from Macritchie Reservoir with its rocky trails, narrow paths and monkeys, to Mount Faber with its steep hills, and our Cross Country route at the Kallang Basin.
Rest assured, our workouts are always varied and can range from speed-focused 200m sprints to endurance-based 1km interval runs, as well as long runs or gym training.
You never really know what to expect in Cross, and you’ll always be able to explore unique sights while trying to reach the pinnacle of fitness.
Training takes place on Monday and Friday afternoons at 4.30pm, and Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Each training usually lasts around 2 hours. In addition to school training, you are also encouraged to go on your free-and-easy long runs on non-training days to maintain fitness and build endurance.
Throughout your CCA journey, you’ll have the chance to participate in an array of competitions. From the Cross Country National School Games (NSG) in March to the Track and Field NSG taking place in April, along with a plethora of other competitions throughout the year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove your prowess in the sport and bring pride to the school.
Some of our team’s proudest achievements include finishing 2nd (Boys) and 2nd (Girls) at the recent 2024 NSG Cross Country Championships, as well as 1st (Boys) and 2nd (Girls) at the 2024 Track and Field Championships.
Perhaps you may be intimidated by the physical demands of these workouts, or perhaps you lack experience in this area. But let us reassure you that unrealistic and ambitious fitness standards are not at all prerequisites to enter the wonderful world of running.
In fact, our team consists of members with no prior experience in sports, who took a leap of faith to try something new, only to be shocked at how fast they were able to improve, even going on to represent RI at the National School Games.
As long as you are willing to try, and put in effort to consistently do your best during training, you will be surprised at what you can achieve with a team and coach to guide you.
Some may think us crazy for running in the sweltering heat, and for pushing through the immense fatigue that inevitably comes with our strenuous workouts. But it is rare to find such a dedicated group of people who will be there to share both your successes and your losses.
Here in Cross Country, you will never feel isolated or lacking in support. We celebrate the ups and downs together, forging memories through birthday celebrations, dinners, encouraging each other to do our best and overall just having fun together.
Running has brought us together, giving us opportunities to bond and develop real camaraderie with each other. So if you are looking for a deep rooted family to share your passion for fitness, then we can assure you that your 2 years in RI Cross Country will be the most fulfilling and enriching 2 years of your life.
