In this section
In this section
Welcome to the dedicated page for the King Henry VIII Relay Race. The next race will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2025. See below for details.
Congratulations to The Judd (boys’) and New Hall School (girls’) for their victories in this years’ race which took place on 31 January 2024.
We also had a new course record in the boys’ race, Henry Dover from Woodbridge School running in a time of 10:45 – breaking a 44 year record.
Results can be found here:
Presentations were by our VIP guest presenter Chris Finill. In 2011 Chris ran across America, from San Francisco to New York. Last summer, aged 64, Chris ran from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, becoming one of just a handful of athletes ever to complete this USA/UK double. Chris also holds the World Record for the longest sub-3-hour marathon streak in the same marathon, having gone under 3 hours 33 times at the London Marathon every year since it began from 1981, until 2013. He has run every London Marathon since its inception, right up until 2023, making a total of 43 races… so far! He spoke on the importance of running to him, and encouraged the pupils to keep on going however they did in the race on the day.
Programme 2024 – packed full of information about this years’ teams and runners as well as 52 years of history.
Athletics Weekly – a report of the race as found on the AW website.
Since 1972 King Henry VIII School in Coventry has hosted what is now regarded by many as the best inter-schools Cross Country Relay Race in the UK. We are very proud of our race! Chip timing was introduced in 2015 providing quick, accurate results alongside a UKA trained timekeeper to ensure a fail-safe system.
Boys and girls compete in their own categories: the Boys’ Race is 6 x 2.3 miles; the Girls’ Race is 4 x 2.3 miles. The course is over pavement, grass, woodland – and quite a few puddles – and is largely flat with no significant elevation. Schools should enter their best runners, although this will often include runners younger than the Sixth Form. See the entry requirements below for more details.
Follow us on Twitter to see what we have been up to @KHVIIIRelayRace
Founded by Ted Norrish in 1972 as a boys’ race, and joined by a girls’ race in 2000, the event has always strived to allow pupils to compete with the best of their peers across the UK. More information about Mr Norrish and our race can be found at “History of the race” page. It has a strong legacy, boasting former competitors of the calibre of Seb Coe, Alistair & Jonathan Brownlee, and Richard Nerurkar. To see previous years’ results and read the race reports please use the links on the right hand side of this page. The ARCHIVE OF ALL RESULTS has details of all the times of our race, and if you or your school have ran in this event then you can now look up your time.
The No1 schools race in the country by a mile!
Prizes are awarded for a variety of categories, and every year sees a different guest presenter with a history of excellence in the athletics field, in competing, coaching or as an ambassador for the sport. The KHVIII Cups, awarded in memory of Ted Norrish, will be awarded to the winning teams. For the boys’ teams the JB Vent Cup, LJ Wrench Cup and Matthew Lee Cup will be awarded to the second, third and fourth placed teams. The John Vickers Cup will be awarded to the most improved boys team. Medals will be presented to the members of the first four teams, and cloth badges to members of the first ten teams. Individual times from a relay-chip should be available at the presentation ceremony after the race and emailed after the event. In the girls’ race the Philip Mahiques Cup is awarded to the second placed team, and the Pat Head Cup to the third placed girls’ team. Medals will be presented to the members of the first four teams, and cloth badges to members of the first ten teams. The fastest boy is presented the Mark Randell Shield, and the fastest girl is awarded the Andrews’ Shield.
‘The event is superbly run, and very much has the look and feel of a championship.’
‘It has now become a highlight on our calendar and is a thoroughly enjoyable day. Our young runs were pleased with their position and are hungry to compete again next year!’
‘Thanks for a super event. The boys enjoyed their first visit and were pestering me to bring them back next year. I appreciate the huge amount of energy and organisation that went into making sure that everything ran so smoothly.’
Mr T Andrews is in charge of the annual King Henry VIII Relay Race.
You can contact him via RelayRace.KHVIII@CSFoundation.org.uk
Social Media: Twitter @KHVIIIRelayRace
Instagram: khviiirelayrace
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