Results Competitors   (301) Scores

Thames hosts the Alumni Race, a 5 mile cross-country event in which runners compete for their old school, on – Wimbledon Common every December.

In 2008, the name of the event was changed from the Old Boys’ Race to the Alumni Race to create a more inclusive image. In 2012, the Old Coventrian Cup was donated by King Henry VIII for the first lady finisher, won that year by Suzanne Allen of Denstone, with Sarah Saxton wining for King Henry VIII in 2014.  To date the numbers of ladies participating have been limited, but growing, many of a high standard. We remain hopeful that it continues to rise.

About 60 schools have entered a team over the full history of the event, some for only the odd year and some with incomplete teams. As can be seen from the results, a team will have a good run of podium places for some years attributed to an enthusiastic convenor and loyal participants, until a new bunch arrive to challenge them. The number of participants has slowly crept up, accelerating over the past few years and is now above 300.

The race is very varied in the ability of those competing. At the sharp end there have been internationals in most spheres of distance running. Mike Berisford (Repton) in the 1950s was only the ninth Briton to be a four-minute-miler and Ben Moreau (Winchester) who won in 2004 and 2005 was a realistic candidate for the 2012 Olympic marathon