Alumni Race

Saturday 17th September

This year’s ALUMNI RACE is being run in a different time of the year, being Saturday, 17^th September 2022.

Thames Hare & Hounds Running Club, the organisers of this 70^th Race, have decided to try a new earlier date (instead of December) to try to attract more people, especially those who will not be due in University at that time. It is being held in the same place, and over the same traditional 5 Mile Cross-Country course, at the south-west end of Wimbledon Common. However, they have recently let me know that there will be a LATER START at  3.00 pm !

The great advantage of The Annual Alumni Race, is that it is open to all Schools Alumni, of any age (18 to 80+ ) and ability and a team can also include a member of Staff (of at least 5 years). Guest runners are welcome to run but cannot count in the Team’s points. There are ten Cups up for grabs, including The Shrewsbury Cup, which was presented to The Alumni Race last year. In the last few years, we have assembled an OSH Team that have performed well. We won the “Open Race” category of the Virtual Race of 2020 and then got 2^nd place in last December’s Race in Roehampton. We can sometimes pick up some of the Veteran’s Trophies, but we could do with at least four runners in each category to avoid penalty points. The same applies to The Ladies Cup too ! When there is a complete team (in a category), it doesn’t matter how long the last team member takes to get round, as long as you finish, which stops penalty points being applied.

The Old Salopian Hunt pays the Entrance Fee, so those of you that wish to run in the race, you will need to tell me before Wednesday 7^th September, so that I can do the paperwork !

In addition, this year, Michael Johnson (S. 1955-60 & a Tucks Winner & GB Masters Champ) has decided to celebrate his 80^th Birthday by inviting those that can attend The Alumni Race, to come to the Kings Head Pub, Roehampton High Street, SW15 4HL, after the Race, where there will be a party with drinks and buffet. The Kings Head has some great memories for some of us, as it was a previous Headquarters of TH&H, and many Salopians, including Michael, became members of this very first public running club (founded in 1868). However it is important that anyone interested in coming to Michael’s party, must let me know before August 31^st , because Michael has to provide a list of attendees to the pub.

With encouraging best wishes,

Peter.
P.G. Birch.  Your OSH Team Convenor !