The Running Paradox | LCS Runners Compete in the First Cross Country Race of 2021
Written by: Rory Gilfillan
Cross country running is a paradox. During a race, athletes run as individuals but compete as a team. Races are often decided not by the first runner to cross the line but the last. Each age group and gender division takes the top four runners from their respective schools and assigns them points based on their finish. The team with the lowest total score wins the event. In essence, we compete together but we endure alone.
It’s easy to get caught up in the first 500 metres of a race and then weather the next five kilometres. It is much harder to remain calm and stay within striking distance. This Wednesday, at the Bay of Quinte Invitational, Gabriel ’25 did just that, hanging off the lead pack and then making a move at the three-kilometre marker, creating a 600-metre lead on the second-place athlete at the finish. With the help of Richard’s ’24 sensational fourth place finish in his first race, Gabriel led Nate ’24 and Alistair ’24 to LCS’ first team title in at least 20 years.
When the LCS XC team raced in 2019, our student-athletes were able to surprise a lot of people. This is no longer the case; the reputations of our runners are now widely known. This is to be expected and welcomed but something is different this year: desire. And it’s not just fuelled by results or milestones, though there are many to mention. For example, Clea ’22 achieved a 17th place finish, Uma ’24 ran solo in her division, Paris ’22 made the transition from London to Lakefield and from sprinting to distance, and AJ ’25, Auston ’25, and David ’25 ran their first high school races. While there continues to be a linear understanding that equates hard with achieving greatness (whether that’s by qualifying for OFSAA or by simply being better than we were the week before), this year feels different.
As American novelist, Jane Smiley wrote, “In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it.”
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4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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