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King Henry VIII Relay Race
In this section
About the races
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, regardless of their age, although this will often include runners in the Sixth Form.
History & Previous Results
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. 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.
Entry Requirements and the 50th Race in 2021
Next year’s race will take place on Wednesday 3rd February 2021, starting in the War Memorial Park, Coventry at 2:30pm. This will be our 50th race and we are looking forward to a great celebration of the event. If you would like your school to enter a team, please click the link below to fill in your details. This is a extremely well attended and competitive race and so we ask that teams meet a qualifying standard (in your own estimation) of the following:
Boys’ teams should be capable of finishing the 6 x 2.3 mile course in about 90 minutes.
Girls’ teams should be capable of finishing the 4 x 2.3 mile course in about 72 minutes.
Click here to fill out an application form
If you or your school are interested in receiving updates throughout the year on the preparations and extra activities for the 50th anniversary event, please follow the link below to add your details to the mailing list and keep in touch. All friends of the KHVIII Relay Race, OCs and alumni from all schools are warmly invited to subscribe to this email list, for more information about the event.
Award Ceremony
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 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. For both races plaques will be awarded to the runners of the three fastest lap times.
‘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 throughly 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.’
Teaching Staff
Mr T Andrews is in charge of the annual King Henry VIII Relay Race.
Mr P Robbins is in charge of the Cross Country team at the school.
Contact
Mr T Andrews – relayrace@khviii.net
How to enter
Please click on the link below to fill out an entry form. We ask for a contribution towards the cost of putting on this event, the cost of this will be confirmed in the new school year. Please be aware of the entry requirements (see above).
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