CROSS-COUNTRY
On a positive note , the organisation and running of the Midland ’ s league is moving into the digital age . Every year there are problems with finishing tunnels and runners who cheat . At the end of the season this year , a postseason meeting was held at St John ’ s and many issues were resolved . Some conformity was introduced as to starting times and order , as well as distances to be run . The most exciting development however , is the introduction of scanning bar codes for each runner . At the start of the season , each runner will have their details entered into a computer and be assigned a bar code . They will carry this bar code with them at each race and at the finish a quick scan is all it will take to record their position . This also means that the problem of runners entering the wrong finishing tunnel , something they do with monotonous regularity , will fall away as only two tunnels will be needed , one for boys and one for girls . This will make things run a lot smoother and quicker at the end of races . This system , using a programme written by the husband of Amanda Kruger from St John ’ s , will be rolled out in 2017 and used in the League . If all goes well , and there is no reason why it should not , I shall be keen to do the same for the interhouse cross-country as this will relieve a large number of staff from duties at the finish . We look forward to the 2017 season .
Inter-House Cross-Country
The Inter-House Cross-Country is always a rather onerous affair to organise , especially now that there are double the number of Houses . If it were not for the generous help of my colleagues on the staff , the running of this event would be nearly impossible . However , the process has been streamlined and all seemed to go smoothly this year . As this year ’ s race counted towards House points , participation was up . A one-hour cutoff was also introduced so that staff were not expected to sit in the sun waiting for boys who were just messing around . It was not particularly well received by all but I think it is reasonable since it should be no problem for a young , active boy to finish easily in that time .
The winner of the senior section was K Molefe of Snow House who seemed to be over the worst of his injury plagued season , while newcomer , C van Rooyen of Strachan ’ s , ran away with the junior title . Forder House was the overall winner of the event .
Mrs L Marchant
131