New pupils gather for annual Third Form Race

There was a palpable sense of anticipation as the new Third Form cohort, resplendent in box-fresh house vests, descended on Central on the first Saturday of term.

Perhaps the most memorable event of Foundation Fortnight, the annual Third Form Race took place in warm and dry conditions, with barely a gust of wind to trouble the runners.

The new boys and girls were given a quick introduction to the colourful history of the near-200-year-old Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt, before transmogrifying into a baying pack of hounds and gathering into house pens at the traditional start point of the ‘Benjy’ course. After the traditional rallying call - All hounds who wish to run, run hard, run well, and may the Devil take the hindmost! - the hunting horn sounded and the hares, this year’s RSSH captains, bolted, with the Third Form in hot pursuit, streaming through the Moss Gates and on to Ashton Road. The race was underway, with 2.3km to cover, both on and off campus.

The early flat running tends to see many competitors still in contact at the front, before the course funnels down Oldham’s Gap and descends to the river. The return climb, back towards Ridgemount, is the key test, with positions often already decided before the final burst towards the Chapel and Main School Building. First back this year was Port Hill’s Herbie W in a highly respectable 8m 36s, closely followed by Al W (Rb) and Max S (S), clocking 8m 52s and 9m 00s respectively. In a mixed field the first girl home was Georgia G of Mary Sidney Hall, who stormed home in a superb 9m38s - good enough for 13th overall in the year group. Second girl was April H (MSH - 9m 52s), closely followed by Maggie W (G - 9m 56s).

Winner of the Boys' Race Herbie W 

Beyond individual plaudits, there is, of course, the question of the house competition. With the Third Form competing in their first inter-house event, these results are always hotly anticipated. MSH dominated the girls’ race, with their 6 counters scoring a remarkably low 43 points. Emma Darwin Hall followed in second and Grove third with 70 and 92 points. As for the boys, the day houses were to the fore, with Port Hill edging Radbrook, 77 to 89 points.  Churchill’s Hall claimed team bronze with 176. 

Winner of the Girls' Race Georgia G

Frank Tickner

I/C The Hunt