Remembering The School Cross Country Runs

I began to know what Cross Country Run was when I entered the King Edward VII Secondary School. It was a sport introduced into the Malayan schools by the British. A cross country course would cover the open country with natural terrains. Schools in Taiping town do not have much open country but we have the vast and beautiful Lake Gardens.

The old Red Bridge, one of the main route.

Even though I was not a strong runner, it was compulsory to participate (except for boys who had a medical excuse). I ran for my colour house - Raffles (Red). There was the monthly cross country practice runs before the Annual School Cross Country Race. The practice runs and the Annual Race were held on Saturday morning. We were to assemble at the Start Point (which was also the Finish Point) at 8.00 AM. The Assembly Point was where the children's playground is, which is at the bottom of the District Officer's Residence hill. After we assembled according to our House Colours, the Race Master would announce the course for the day and the checkpoints. We were also warned about the penalties of cheating the course. The race would start at 8.30 AM and would usually finished by 9.45 AM. I think the whole course could have been 8 KM.

The "little causeway", one alternate main route.

Over my five years of secondary school, the course covers the same route except for minor changes in one or two. That was either we had to run over the "China Bridge" way pass where Flemington Hotel is now or we had to pass through the "Little Causeway".

The "China Bridge", another alternate main route.

Whether it rained or sunny, we ran. In my first 3 years, I would usually complete the race past the qualifying time. However, in my fourth and fifth year, I was able to finish within the time and was able to score some points for my Raffles House.

After the race, we assembled again and the results were announced. When we were finally dismissed, a few of us would gather at our friend's house. Malik Ridhwan lived at the government housing which was near the Taiping Penghulu's Office (behind the Taiping Magistrate's Court). We bought cold drinks from the hawker stall and stayed there to chat. I remember a funny incident, Khairuddin had almost choked when he swallowed a small ice cube. Fortunately, the ice cube cleared his throat and he was able to breath normally.

Nowadays, when I see students running along the roads near my housing area for their cross country runs, these beautiful old memories came to my mind of my old running days.