2023 ALUMNI WIMBLEDON RACE REVIEW

The Alumni cross country race took place again in September with a good field of around 200 entrants. The weather was however not typical cross country, with very warm temperatures, dry and dusty trails across the Common. ‘The dust, the heat, the glare’ perhaps not what Sedberghians are used to!  The Sedbergh squad had 8 entrants on the start line, Charles Sykes, Richard Wells, Peter Lehmann, Henry Bolton, Robert Buchanan, Ben Collins, Benedict Nowak and Geoff Watson. The team rules now allow for a current member of staff to compete in a team and Richard’s inclusion was a great asset to the teams. 

Charles Sykes led the Sedbergh team home in 7th place overall in a time 29:39 with Richard 14th (31:05). Peter Lehmann 21st (32:08) and Henry Bolton 37th (33:25) were 3rd and 4th counters for the open race (King Henry VIII Trophy). Robert Buchanan was close behind in 40th (33:37). The team sealed an initial 3rd equal place with Bishop’s Capetown, but on revision were later elevated to 2nd by 1 point! Interestingly in the last 28 years since a team 2nd in 1995 we have been first or second team 17 times. A consistent team! 

Further to the 2nd place in the main event, the team counters brought a fair haul of silverware back in veteran 40 / 50 and age graded categories. 

In the V40 category Charles Sykes came home first V40 with Richard Wells in 3rd. Richard also claimed 1st V50. These great performances coupled with Henry Bolton as 3rd V40 team counter sealed a team win in the Brentwood trophy. Again in the age graded team Shrewsbury trophy the top place veterans shone through. Charles and Richard’s category wins plus Henry Bolton and Peter Lehman’s good age grade efforts sealed a win on that trophy. Charles took 1st place individually in the age graded event winning the Wyndham Halswelle with Richard in 2nd. 

It was a very successful day at Wimbledon with a string of trophies for the team. Many thanks to all who made the effort to come and run and support the team.

Thanks also to Bill Sykes for taking photos of the team and the race. Next OS team event will be the Morgan Run in January 2024.

Geoff Watson (E 89-94)

TH&H 71st  ALUMNI RACE – 2023
TEAMS
OPEN	The Henry VIII Trophy		Points
First	Shrewsbury		56
Second	Sedbergh		78
Third	Bishops Capetown		79
Ladies	Old Johnian Cup		Points
First	St John’s		61
Second	Shrewsbury		49
Third	Wellington		51
At least three to finish
Age-graded	Shrewsbury Cup		Points
First	Sedbergh		7381
Second	Shrewsbury		7136
Third	Winchester		7050
V40	The Old Brentwood Trophy		Points
First	Sedbergh		12
Second	Rochester Maths		27
Third	Wellington		44
V50	The Chataway Trophy		Points
First	Eton		25
Second	Bradfield		48
Third	Epsom College		60
V60	Old Denstonian Cup		Points
First	Sherborne		29
Second	Winchester		34
Third	Epsom College		34
V65	Jane Bubear Cup		Points
First	Kent College		7
Second	Eton		11
Third	Warwick		12

INDIVIDUALS
Open	Norman Berry Cup	Team	Time
First	Edward Chuck	Kings Canterbury	26.57
Second	Ed Mallett	Shrewsbury	27.27
Third	Tom Hole	Sherborne	27.39
Ladies	Old Coventrian Cup	Team	Time
First	Deirdre McDermott	Wellington	33.33
Second	Gina Galbraith	Roedean	34.35
Third	Sophie Kirk	King Henry VIII	34.59
Age Graded	Wyndham Halswelle Cup	Team	Points
First	Charles Sykes	Sedbergh	7983
Second	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	7933
Third	Ed Mallett	Shrewsbury	7764
V40	Name	Team	Time
First	Charles Sykes	Sedbergh	29.39
Second	Jonathan Potts	Oundle	30.53
Third	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	31.06
V50	Name	Team	Time
First	Richard Wells	Sedbergh	31.06
Second	Barnaby Gray	Milton Abbey	33.14
Third	Stefan Massingham	Rochester Maths	33.58
V60	Name	Team	Time
First	John Shaw	Winchester	34.53
Second	Chris Finill	Harrow County	34.54
Third	John Bennet	Epsom College	39.07
V65	Name	Team	Time
First	Peter Kennedy	Kent College	41.15
Second	Shane MacKean	Eton	42.53
Third	Martin Garrett	Warwick	47.52
V70	Name	Team	Time
First	Peter Kennedy	Kent College	41.15
Second	Paul Newby	Epsom College	48.39
Third	David Jenkins	Winchester	51.56