FRC Cross Country Captains 26/27 - Meet the Leaders Driving Our Season Forward
Written by FRC’s Emilyn Hutchinson, this preview introduces Fulham Running Club's 26/27 cross country captains: Alice, Trev, Hari, and Dan. The team shares top pre-race tips, post-run treats, and mental hacks to inspire runners of all paces and power FRC back into Division 2!
Cross country asks a lot from a team. It asks runners to handle mud, hills, nerves, cold mornings, tough finishes, and the quiet voice that says, “slow down.” That is why captains matter. They set the tone long before race day and long after the results come in.
For the 26/27 season, we’re thrilled to introduce a fantastic captaincy team made up of four incredible runners: returning favourites Alice and Trev, alongside two brand-new captains stepping up for 26/27, Hari and Dan. The FRC Cross Country captains are ready to lead with energy, care, and a clear sense of purpose. A recent Q&A gave a closer look at who they are as runners and as leaders, from their favourite memories to the mental barriers they have had to push through.
Their answers made one thing clear: this season is about more than faster times. It is about building a team where every runner feels seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
Dan (New XC Captain)
What is your favourite memory or turning point from your cross country journey so far?
"It all comes back to turning up to my first cross country race, very nervous and not really knowing anyone—and being instantly welcomed and made to feel like part of a team by people who are now some of my best friends."
What is your go-to pre-race routine or hype music?
"Von Dutch by Charli XCX. A woman so committed to the cause of XC she put it in her name."
If you could design the ultimate post-race celebratory meal or recovery snack, what’s on the menu?
"My three primary desires after a race are pizza, chocolate, and a pint—maybe you could blend them together for some sort of efficient post-workout shake?"
Every cross country runner has a moment that changes how they see the sport. For some, it is finishing a first race when they were not sure they could. For others, it is chasing a teammate up a hill, beating a personal best, or realising that a hard run can become a proud memory.
When asked about favourite memories and turning points, the captains reflected on the experiences that made them stay with cross country. Their stories centred on persistence, team support, and self-belief.
That matters because good leadership does not come from being perfect. It comes from knowing what it feels like to struggle, then choosing to keep going anyway. These captains understand the nerves before the start line and the tired legs halfway through a course. They also understand the reward of finishing stronger than expected.
Their backgrounds are not identical, and that is a strength. Each captain brings a different route into the sport, a different reason for running, and a different way of encouraging others. Together, they give the team a balanced model of leadership: steady when things get hard, upbeat when morale drops, and honest about the work it takes to improve.
Hari (New XC Captain)
What is your favourite memory or turning point from your cross country journey so far?
"My favourite memory from cross country was at a university BUCS race where a river was incorporated into the course. I just loved wading through this water with hundreds of girls—it felt like a very bonding experience!"
What’s the toughest mental barrier you’ve faced on a run, and how did you push through it?
"The toughest mental barrier I’ve faced was at the Manchester Marathon when I was at the 26km mark and a hill was looming up ahead. I just remembered all the times I’d run to the top of Ashton Court Park in Bristol, which pushed me through!"
If you could design the ultimate post-race celebratory meal or recovery snack, what’s on the menu?
"I’m a real sucker for tuna pasta, so honestly, a huge bowl of tuna pasta! Or, the Fulham girls have a real talent for baking, so any of their baked goods goes down a treat!"
Their advice to new runners is simple and powerful
Cross country can look intimidating from the outside. The distances feel long. The courses can be unpredictable. Everyone seems to know where to go and what to do.
The captains’ advice to new runners cuts through that pressure: start where you are, keep showing up, and do not compare your first chapter to someone else’s middle. In their view, joining the team is already the first brave step.
Alice (Returning XC Captain)
What advice would you give to new runners joining the team?
"Just come along and give it a go! Cross country is for everyone, regardless of pace or experience. Don't worry about where you finish—it's about challenging yourself, enjoying the experience, and being part of a supportive team. And remember, the mud is all part of the fun! Just don't forget a fresh pair of socks and shoes to change into afterwards!"
What is your main goal or vision for the team this season, and how do you plan to lead us there?
"I'd love to see as many people as possible getting involved in cross country this season, from those chasing PBs to those simply wanting to give it a go. My aim is to create a welcoming, encouraging team where everyone feels they belong. I'll be there cheering everyone on, encouraging new faces to join us, and hopefully bringing plenty of team spirit along the way! Most importantly, I want everyone to finish feeling proud of themselves and looking forward to the next race!"
If you could design the ultimate post-race celebratory meal or recovery snack, what’s on the menu?
"You can't beat a homemade baked treat after cross country! Especially during those cold, wet winter races—there's nothing better than warming up with a hot chocolate and a generous slice of cake!"
They know the toughest race can happen in your head
One of the strongest questions in the Q&A asked about the toughest mental barrier faced on a run. It is a question every runner understands.
There is always a moment when the body wants to stop. It might come on a climb, during the second half of a race, or when another runner starts to pull away. In that moment, cross country becomes a conversation with yourself.
The captains spoke about pushing through those moments by breaking the run into smaller pieces. Reach the next tree. Stay with the next runner. Hold the pace until the next turn. Breathe. Reset. Go again.
That approach is practical, and it is something they can pass on to the whole squad. Big goals can feel overwhelming. Smaller targets keep runners moving.
The captains’ message is clear: you do not have to feel strong for the whole race. You just have to find a way through the next part.
That message could define the FRC season. When the course gets tough, the team will need leaders who can model calm effort and remind everyone that doubt is not the end of the race.
Their vision is a team that runs together
When asked about their main goal or vision for the season, the captains looked beyond individual results. Strong performances matter, of course. Personal bests, better pacing, improved race confidence, and competitive finishes all have a place.
Yet their wider goal is to create a team culture where runners lift each other.
Trev (Returning XC Captain)
What advice would you give to new runners joining the team?
"Embrace the conditions when the going is good (the earlier races are the better ones… the January and February races are usually the muddier ones) and just get involved. The best thing about running with a team is that suffering becomes surprisingly sociable."
What is your main goal or vision for the team this season, and how do you plan to lead us there?
"My goal is to lead the men out of Division 3 and take us back to our rightful place in Division 2 by initiating Operation ‘Mudward’.Think of it as climbing the corporate ladder, except the ladder is lying horizontally across Surrey, completely covered in mud, and occasionally disappears up a massive hill. There are no interviews. No PowerPoints. No awkward chats with HR. Promotion is decided by mud, mileage, and magnificent mass participation. Every runner counts. Every place counts. Every person you overtake counts.
Whether you’re battling at the sharp end, scrapping in the middle, or engaged in an epic duel for 183rd place with a bloke from Guildford who absolutely refuses to let you pass, you are scoring for the team. Our promotion strategy is therefore beautifully simple: Turn up. Pull on the hoops. Plough through the puddles. Pass people. Pick up points. Proceed to Division 2.
Four races. One team. Approximately 700 questionable footwear decisions. And one glorious objective: ⬆️ DIVISION TWO.⬆️ The road to promotion isn’t paved with gold. It’s ankle-deep in mud."
What’s the toughest mental barrier you’ve faced on a run, and how did you push through it?
"The temptation to walk when it starts getting tough. I push through by spotting someone ahead who looks annoyingly catchable."
The captains also understand that leadership is not only loud motivation. Sometimes it is a quiet word before a race. Sometimes it is running beside someone during a tough session. Sometimes it is noticing when a teammate needs support.
Their style is built on connection. They want the squad to feel like one group, not separate clusters of faster and slower runners. If they can create that feeling, the team will be stronger at every level.
Recovery matters, and so does celebrating
Runners work hard. They deserve to celebrate. Whether the perfect post-race menu includes pasta, pizza, smoothies, fruit, chocolate milk, homemade snacks, or a full team meal, the meaning is the same. A race does not end at the finish line. The moments after matter too.
That is where memories are made. Teammates compare stories from the course, laugh about the mud, replay the sprint finish, and start thinking about the next challenge.
The season ahead starts with belief
The 26/27 season will bring fast starts, hard climbs, close finishes, and days when the weather does not cooperate. It will also bring chances for every runner to grow.
Whether you're looking to help execute Operation Mudward, sample some post-race baked goods, or just try out XC for the first time, Trev, Dan, Hari, and Alice are ready to welcome you to the team. The FRC captains are ready to guide the team through all of it. Their Q&A showed leaders who value effort, welcome new runners, respect the mental side of the sport, and know how to keep the team moving forward.
Their challenge now is to turn those words into habits. Lead the warm-up. Cheer the final finisher. Set the standard in training. Bring energy on race day. Keep the group together when the course gets difficult. The road ahead is muddy, demanding, and full of promise. FRC Cross Country is ready to run it together.
Lace up those trail shoes, pack a dry pair of socks, and we'll see you at the start line!
Written by Emilyn Hutchinson.
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