Sunday 11 January 2026 saw the Herts Cross Country at Panshanger turn into a delightful mix of ice bath and hill reps, and Royston Runners showed up in force to prove that questionable life choices are, in fact, a team sport.

In temperatures best described as “why are my eyelashes frozen?”, the club descended on a course featuring more climbs than a bad marathon nightmare and enough mud to re‑sole every shoe in Hertfordshire. Despite this, Royston vests were everywhere – charging up hills, sliding down slopes, and somehow still managing to smile (or at least grimace convincingly for the cameras).

The Royston squad handled the conditions brilliantly:

The mountain‑goats of the club treated the hills like speed bumps.

The rest of us treated them like personal vendettas and got up them anyway.

Everyone earned the right to talk about “that one hill” for at least the next six months.

Cold hands, numb toes and pink faces were the look of the day, but the performances were anything but frosty. Royston Runners packed the field with strong finishes, brave debuts, and the kind of determined effort normally only seen when someone mentions “cake at the finish.” 

By the end, there were tired legs, muddy socks and some very dramatic footprints, but the verdict was clear: harsh conditions, hilly course, classic Panshanger chaos – and Royston Runners absolutely rose to it. If cross country is character‑building, the club is now overflowing with personality.

The results are below and please follow the link for all the photos

Cross Country photos