The results of this race can be viewed on this Tempo link during the race: https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16418&RId=998
or just point your phone’s camera at this QR code. It will not have individual names, as runners are only declared on the day itself.
All our previous results from the past 50+ years, as well as a digital copy of this programme and a lot more can be found on our website: https://kinghenrys.co.uk/co-curricular/king-henry-viii-relay-race/
Full results will be printed for the presentations.
WELCOME
King Henry VIII School extends a very warm welcome to all the teams attending the 2026 Race. This year, 63 Boys teams and 44 Girls teams have entered the competition. It’s always a tremendous privilege to host this national event, with teams coming from all over the UK to race together and, as ever, it’s great to see schools joining us for the first time in 2026, which marks Henry’s 54th Boys Race and 26th Girls Race, here in Coventry.
Competing at the Relay for the first time, we are thrilled to welcome five new schools: Grey Court School, from Richmond-on Thames; Ilkley Grammar School in West Yorkshire; Lutterworth College, Leicestershire; Meoncross School from Hampshire; and West Kirby Grammar, from the Wirral. Fielding girls teams for the first time are Bloxham School, Loughborough College, Nottingham High and Wirral Grammar, and Ratcliffe College have brought with them their first boys team. It’s also wonderful to welcome back St Edwards of Oxford, for their first appearance in five years.
We are so pleased to see you all, and as always, we wish the very best of luck to all the runners in this year’s Relay; we’re looking forward to seeing some great sportsmanship and teamwork from everyone. As many of you will already know, former alumni of the Race have set British and world records, won Olympic medals, and other garlands of victory in athletics, and it’s always great to see records being smashed, and new personal and team bests being recorded.
As is our custom, after the races have finished, we will have a presentation back at the school. This is a significant part of the Henry’s Relay, as we don’t just acknowledge the teams and individuals who run the fastest—though this is a very important part of the day!—but also note teams who have improved, and individual achievements. To help award the prizes this year we are very pleased to welcome Charlie Dobson, GB 400m sprinter and Olympic 4x400 relay runner, who will present the trophies, shields and medals, and share some thoughts from his own athletic career. We hope that as many of you who can stay for this special part of the day, as well as enjoy some hot food and tea and coffee, to warm up after what is likely to be a fairly wet and muddy Race!
What follows is a rough guide to the teams and individuals whom we think will do well in the Race today, as well as comments and background on schools who have performed notably in the past. This is based on information sent by schools, previous form at this Relay, and other events which have taken place earlier on in the XC season. We note that, increasingly, Relay competitors have profiles on the Powerof10 website—it’s wonderful to see athletes of exceptional calibre racing here, in teams from all over the country. As ever, be warned relays always throw up a few surprises: the complexity of choosing the best order for runners in each team is just one factor to consider. Whilst every effort has been made to get our facts right, any errors are on the part of the programme compilers!
Vest identification numbers 01–63 (boys) and 101–144 (girls) are shown in parentheses after the school’s name below. The identification will also show the actual lap for each runner, with the final-leg runner’s number coloured blue. All spectators are welcome to come to the school after the race, to enjoy the presentations
TEAM PROFILES & RUNNERS TO WATCH
BOYS
ERMYSTEDS [11]
Last year’s champions, Ermysteds return this year with a mixed team of veterans and newcomers: Ewen Wilkinson (last year’s seventh fastest boy) is a GB Orienteer and runner-up in the recent Yorkshire County XC; Finn Beggan placed fifth U15 at the Yorkshire’ s. Joseph Preston (first in the Clubs County XC & also first home at the December ESCC Cup Final) and Ralph Emsley second in the Clubs County XC are Y8, firsttime competitors at the Race. The team is packed with county runners and developing some great allround strength.
GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL [11]
Jack Sanderson is a veteran of the Race, 2025 British U20 mountain running champion, finishing sixth in the World U20s. This was on the back of a second place in the senior ESAA EX and third place in the English 3,000m championships. He has recently run the equal fastest U20 10km of 2025. After a couple of strong lap times in previous years, if the weather allows, Jack will be chasing the school record for KHVIII relay today. He will be joined by a very young squad of county-level runners. Giggleswick School have also been crowned National Fell Running Champions this year, after completing a near perfect team effort in October.
GREYCOURT [13]
Making their debut at the Race, Grey Court School bring with them Thomas Barry, who finished second in the ESAA Regional Final of the XC Cup, and Euan Roberts, Andrew Roberts and Ifan McHardy from their Inter Boys team, crowned ESAA XC Cup National Champions in December at Princethorpe
HARROW [17] [18]
Coming in at fifth place last year, Harrow’s team Otis Farrer-Brown returns this year in the middle of a good season of 5k and 10k running, and track events like the 1500 and 3000 meters, with impressive 4-minute 1500 and 32-minute 10k times Otis competes regularly in British triathlon super series races for London and the UK school games. Harry Jodrell is another previous Race competitor. A middle-distance and XC runner, who competes for Belgrave Harriers and Harrow School, Harry is chasing a sub16:50 for 5 km.
ILKLEY [19]
The Ilkley Grammar School are another new team to the Race. Ilkley’s Senior Boys have recently competed in the ESAA XC Cup, with a fantastic team result of winning national gold for Otis Brooks, Jake Norris, Owen Ashdown (captain), Zac Jardine, Oliver Goodison and Oscar Shinn; Otis secured the individual fastest bronze medal position, so we’re really excited to see what they are going to do here today.
JUDD [21] [22]
Nine-time winners, Judd seek to regain their title this year, and at the very least maintain a remarkable 16year podium streak. It has been a decent season for the Senior squad, who placed third at the National Cup Final and comfortably retained their Knole Run title. Captain George Bishop is rounding into good form and returns to the scene of one of his best races last year. Will Bachelor has been Judd’s fastest man all season, with his eye on the school’s all-time list today. Henry Cleary and Peter Fitzmaurice both expect to run fast on their debut outings here, while Felipe Fujimori should lop a chunk off his 2024 split. Y11 Charlie Warren has already raced here twice before and is hunting a PB. A number of younger boys will join the B-team; particular mention to Sebbie Mottram, just pipped to the Kent Schools’ Junior title last weekend.
KING HENRY VIII [23]
Returning for his final Relay, completing a superb seven-year run of strong performances and a great captaincy and coaching, Douglas Garnett (Y13) has qualified for 2026 English Schools, second in West Mids XC Champs, and 6th in Midlands XC U20 Champs. We are very proud of Dougie’s commitment to Henry’s whole running squad, and his support for both boys and girls teams throughout his school career.
SKINNERS [44] [45]
After youthful Skinners’ teams made their return to the Relay in 2025, a more experienced line up competes in 2026. Leading the team again will be Oscar Graffin and Sam Smialowski looking to improve on previous solid finishing times. Youngsters Joel Graffin and Ellis Hill, who represented Kent in the English Schools, and Inter Counties, respectively showed great form before Christmas at the Judge Cup, where Skinners’ finished in second place, just seven seconds behind winning Grey Court. Kent Schools’ 400m hurdles champion and multi-eventer Harry Wrigley will be working on his endurance, and at the other end of racing distances, Harvey Webster (first U20 at Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon) will sharpen up on his debut in this Race today
ST ALBANS [45]
After missing their first Relay in 30 years in 2025, faithfuls St Albans return today, and we’re glad to see them—always placing high in the table, and having won the Race a dozen times, it’s good to have them back
ST ANSELMS [48]
[49]
St Anselm’s are long-term competitors, and return with several athletes who have performed well at the Race in the past. The A Team features Oberon Kearney, Welsh Fell Champion and College Captain for the third consecutive year, alongside Michael Phelan, who finished second in last year’s Intermediate ESAA Cross Country Cup. The squad is further strengthened by Merseyside county runners James Jones and George Goulding, with Gabriel Pearse making his A Team debut, joined by Fred Reese, currently ranked first in Merseyside in Y9 for cross country. The B Team includes Jac Chapman, who recently set a twominute personal best over 800m, and Malachi Harty, who has represented English Schools for Merseyside in both javelin and XC in consecutive years. They are joined by Merseyside county runners Max Done and team captain Samuel Clarke. Patrick Cuthbert and Phoenix Pearse both make their senior debuts in the B Team. The St Anselm’s Reserves are Noah Mills, a Merseyside county runner, and Luke Fisher, also making his senior debut.
UPPINGHAM [55] [56]
Ollie Hayward, running for Uppingham A team this year, represents Bermuda in the triathlon, and in the World Triathlon Age Group Championships in November, finishing eighth in 16-19 category last year.
WOODBRIDGE [60]
Woodbridge School athletes are excited to be a part of it all again this year, with a young team, including runners such as Dex Marshall in the Boys’ Race. Dex secured an impressive fifth place as an U13 at last year's Inter-XC at Wollaton Park, and was individual cup winner that same year.
GIRLS
GIGGLESWICK [106]
Giggleswick’s Mia McGoldrick was fourth fastest runner at the Race last year, and went on to win U13 National XC championships and the English fell running championships. With two new members of the squad, the team will be looking to better the school record from last year. Giggleswick School are National Fell Running Champions this year, with a near-perfect team effort in October.
KING HENRY VIII [107]
Marta Haas is one to look out for in the Henry’ s squad. Having been a part of the team for the past four years, she has helped to motivate and bring the team together.
NEW HALL [118]
New Hall return for their third year at the Race, and so far they’ve taken the cup every time! This year, all four members of the team have represented England or GB, either on XC or track, and all four qualified automatically for English Schools XC last weekend
RATCLIFFE [121] [122]
After last year’s brilliant second place from Ratcliffe, they’re worth watching out for today.
UPTON HALL SCHOOL FCJ [145] [146]
Claiming third place last year, Upton return with another excellent team. Second-fastest girl in the Race last, Holly Cross (Y12) has been selected to represent England in the home nations 5k, and GB Catholic schools at the FISEC Games in Budapest, winning the 1500m. Holly is the Northern 800m Champion and achieved a bronze medal in the Northern Athletics 5k. Another great performance in last year’s Race came from Daisy McVicar, who returns with the 2026 team after achieving third-fastest leg overall in the Northern Road Relays, helping her team take the silver medal. Daisy also placed third at the English Schools Fell Champs and Liverpool Cross Challenge. Poppy Boden, in the team taking second place at National XC Relay Champs, also finished third in Merseyside Counties, and represented GB for the Laser Run at the World Pentathlon Champs, finishing twelfth
WEALD OF KENT GRAMMAR SCHOOL [138] [139]
Relative newcomers to the Henry’s Relay, last year Weald of Kent came fifth in the Race, and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do this time.
WIRRAL [141]
Wirral Grammar School for Girls are delighted to be running our event for the first time, looking forward to testing themselves against strong competition. This year’s Race team consists of three of Wirral’s Senior Team (regular English Schools XC Cup Finalists), plus a young Elsie Jones (Y8), who just keeps getting faster. One to watch: Imogen Dunning recently came second in the Senior Group at the Merseyside County Schools XC Champs.
WOODBRIDGE [143] [144]
Woodbridge are always powerful contenders, with many top-five finishes, and this year they bring another strong girls team looking to compete for even higher Both girls teams feature many of the intermediates who earned silver medals at the English Schools Cup final last December, and several current intermediates were part of the double junior gold medal-winning teams at the Cup final in 2024. So it’ s a strong roster across the three boys and girls teams for Suffolk-based Woodbridge school.
Next year’s race will be on Wednesday 3rd February 2027
We hope to see you all again!
If you want to see more about your team and your school’s XC athletes in the programme, remember to send in your Star Runners information promptly next January, or simply email details to me to have them included.
OFFICIALS
RACE ORGANISER, CLERK OF COURSE & PRESENTATIONS OFFICER T Andrews
STARTER & ANNOUNCER M McKenzie & P Huxford
TAKE-OVER JUDGES & STARTERS’ MARSHALS H Thompson
DECLARATION OFFICERS N Amlani
TIME-KEEPERS & RESULTS SERVICE P Davies & S Davies TempoEvents
DATA SUPPORT
COURSE OFFICIALS
COURSE MARSHALS
PHOTOGRAPHY
N Amlani, J Mattu, and pupils from King Henry VIII School
Z Adamson, T Andrews, E Bains, R Boyllin, W Crowfoot, C Dowding, S Hallett & R Sewell
60+ pupils of King Henry VIII School
S Jackson, Y Verma & M Shaharil
FIRST AID COVER M O'meara & S O’Kane (RLSS UK L3)
COURSE SET UP
T Andrews, J Parsonage, J Tanner, & pupils from KHVIII School.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
King Henry VIII School would like to extend thanks to all those who have helped in staging this race, including:
• Officers from the War Memorial Park, Coventry Council Leisure Services Department, for their continued support of this event, and maintaining the route through the woods during the year.
• Is Andrews for Star Runners & VIP Biography.
• R Bhuhi for reprographics and admin support
• School caterers, Holroyd Howe
• Commbus, Coleshill, for PA
ProgrammepreparedbyTAndrews2026
Mud Mud
Mud
ALL TIME FASTEST TEAMS
In 1991, as a result of changes in the Memorial Park, the course was shortened by 90 metres. Team Times: The time in brackets has had 1:36 taken off - use that value to compare to the latest team times Individual Times (on separate page): For the pre-1991 runners their time has been reduced by 16 seconds, and marked with a *. You need to add 16 seconds to get their original time. If you know a missing first name for the boys please email TDA@CSFoundation.org.uk
35 Andy Bailey*, RGS H Wyc 11.11* (88) 85 Alex Hodgkinson, St Albans 11.20 (03)
35 Ethan Brady Jones, St Anselm's College11.11 (23) 85 Dominic Easter , St Albans 11.20 (08)
41 Nick Martyn*, Kingswood 11.12* (73) 85 Jeremy Gilmour, Manchester GS 11.20 (08)
41 Andrew Saker*, Maidstone 11.12* (82) 85 Will d'Arcy, Abingdon 11:20 (22)
41 David Coney*, Maidstone 11.12* (82) 85 Tom Claridge, Judd School, The 11.20 (23)
41 Spencer Duval*, Millfield 11.12* (87) 85 Dan Galloway, Thomas Telford 11.20 (23)
41 Ian Hudspith*, St Cuthbert’s 11.12* (89) 94 Dave Glassborow*, KHVIII 11.21* (72)
41 Alex Thompson, Ermysted's 11:12 (22) 94 Kevin Stewart*, Skinners' 11.21* (81)
41 Harry Hewitt, Bourne Grammar School11.12 (23) 94 Ian Horsfall-turner*, Cranbrook 11.21* (85)
48 Ges Cosgrave*, Bishop Ullathorne 11.13* (72) 94 M McBeth*, St Aloysius 11.21* (90)
48 Gary Crowther*, Manchester GS 11.13* (81) 94 Ash Rymer, Marling 11.21 (07)
48 Alistair Brownlee, Bradford GS 11.13 (06) 94 James Kingston, The Judd 11.21 (20)
51 Chris Sellers*, Maidstone 11.14* (82) * = original time minus 16 sec's, due to course change in 1991
GIRLS ALL TIME FASTEST RUNNERS LIST 2000–2025
1 Harriet Knowles-Jones, Loreto
15 Emily Gibbins, Bradford GS
17 Becky Straw, Bromsgrove Sch
17 Elise Thorner, Millfield
(22)
(11)
(19)
19 Mari Smith, Loughborough HS 13:06 (12)
20 Esme Davies, QEGS Penrith
21 Kate Waugh, Newcastle RGS
(18)
(15)
22 Heidi Woodley, New Hall School 13:12 (25)
23 Jess Humphreys, Wrekin 13:13 (19)
24 Lizzy Bird, St Albans 13:18 (13)
(23)
(22)
Jade Chareton, Dudley College 13:35 (23)
Izzie James, Bromsgrove Sch 13:36 (17)
Krista Bennett, Bablake Sch 13:36 (22)
Firth, Judd, The 13:37 (23)
Carla Barennes, Bradford GS 13:38 (22)
Luan Power, Ratcliffe College 13:38 (23)
Abbie Saker, Bromsgrove Sch 13:39 (17)
Eve Pannone, QEGS Penrith 13:39 (19)
Where have the teams come from?
This map shows theapproximatelocations of the teams that are here. Runners from over 550 miles apart are competing today in Coventry .
Relay Race Course
War Memorial Park
VIP Guest: Charlie Dobson
We are thrilled to welcome as our guest speaker today Charlie Dobson, Britishsprinter,specialisinginthe400mand the4x400metresrelay.
An Olympic bronze medallist and European champion in the relay, Charlie has had a string of national and international successes since 2022; winning silver in the 400m at the 2024 European Athletics Championships, gold 400m at the 2024 and 2025 British Athletics Championships and 400m final of the 2024 Diamond League in Brussels.
From Colchester in Essex, Charlie studied at St Benedict's Catholic College and Colchester Sixth Form College, going onto to study aeronautical engineering at Loughborough University, graduating in 2023.
Running competitively throughout his school career, and for Colchester Harriers Athletics Club, Charlie has experienced all the highs and lows of the athlete. Having achieved great track success early on, he missed out on some major international events, including the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, due to injury.
2022 saw a return to fitness, running a 200m event in 20.19, the 11th fastest time by a Briton in history, followed by a wind-assisted 19.99 In his first major relay, Charlie was part of the British team that won the 4x400m relay Gold medal at the 2022 European Athletics Championships, alongside Matthew Hudson-Smith, Alex HaydockWilson and Lewis Davey
Hard work, persistence and belief have only seen Charlie go even further, winning his first national 400m title at the 2024 UK Athletics Championships to secure a place at the Paris Olympics, where he took the bronze medal as part of the Great Britain 4x400 metre relay team and reached the semi-final in the individual 400m. Last year, Charlie showed everyone that the PBs keep coming, with a time of 44.14s to win the 400m at the 2025 London Diamond League and holding onto his British title for 400m at the 2025 UK Athletics Championships. This time also moved him up to 2nd on the European All-Time list over the 400m.
Charlie is looking forward to competing this year in both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships in Birmingham.
Thanks so much Charlie for sharing your experiences and encouragement with us today, as a seasoned and successful relay runner!
