The Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt (R.S.S.H.)

Please see our Hunt videoPlease also see our Latest News page, and our Forthcoming Fixtures below.

The RSSH is one of the five major sports at Shrewsbury School and has the distinction of being the oldest cross-country club in the world, with records going back as far as 1831.  Many of the old traditions remain today, with the Captain of cross-country known as the Huntsman, his two deputies being the Senior and Junior Whips, and the younger runners being known as the Hounds.  The first person to cross the finish line in a race is said to have ‘killed’, and at the start of the school races – including the annual whole-school ‘Tucks’ run and the Inter-House Steeplechases and Paperchases – the Huntsman goes to the front of the pack and is heard to yell the encouraging command, “Any hound who intends to kill, run hard, run well, and may the devil take the hindmost”.

The club not only prides itself on its history and traditions, but also on its successes and prominence on the National cross-country scene.  Notable recent old boys include Oli Laws (competing for GB at cross-country) and Oli Mott (British Universities), and the present generation of Hunt runners are fast establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.  Indeed, in recent years the club has swelled in numbers (with squads including close to 50 boys and girls), and soared in successes (with nine trophies won in the 2010-2011 season, and a Top 5 placing at the National Long Run at Knole Park).

Our sights are firmly set on attaining a National title in the coming years, but we also encourage runners of all abilities, priding ourselves on being a wholly welcoming and non-elitist club which pupils of all abilities and ages feel a part of.

Any forthcoming Hunt fixtures for the current term will be displayed below.

Forthcoming Hunt fixtures for the current term

Thursday 20 June 2013

  • 14:30
    RSSH: Sidney-Darwin Dash & Quarter Mile Challenge (Central)

Saturday 22 June 2013

  • 17:30
    RSSH: Marathon Pre-race Pasta Party (Quod)

Sunday 23 June 2013

  • 9:00
    Come and support 'Team Shrewsbury School' in the inaugural Shrewsbury Marathon!

    'Team Shrewsbury School'

    The School is fielding an impressive team of more than 50 staff, pupils, former pupils and parents for the inaugural Shrewsbury Marathon on Sunday 23rd June. To mark the occasion and show support to this committed band of runners (I have just passed a very serious looking Peter Middleton, in the final throes of his training runs), we are inviting the whole community to turn out in force, to cheer them on in true Salopian style.

    We have commandeered the grassy area in front of the tennis courts on Ashton Road and will set up camp on the morning of the Marathon. The route will take the runners directly past the school four times for the marathon and twice for the half-marathon runners, so it is an excellent place to spectate from.

    We warmly invite you to join us here, away from the crowds in The Quarry from 9.30am, just as the first of the Marathon runners will be passing through.

    There will be music to power on weary legs and lift tired spirits, in the form of rousing pop and live instrumentals. Radio Shropshire will also be broadcasting live from this location.

    Parking along the route of the Marathon is restricted, but parking for those of you joining us will be available on the School site, accessed via the Kennedy Road or the Port Hill entrances. (Though please don't park behind KH, as this area has been reserved for local residents.)

    http://www.medicmalawi.org/The team is running in support of Medic Malawi. A stall, manned by our pupil volunteers will be selling refreshments to raise money on the day.

    The School’s Shrewsbury Marathon Team would be hugely grateful for as many donations as possible to support the work of Medic Malawi. Donations can be made via http://www.justgiving.com/TeamShrewsburySchool or email medicmalawi@gmail.com

    If you would like to send ‘Good Luck’ messages to the team or a particular runner, Radio Shropshire have asked you to call 01743 248321.

    'Team Shrewsbury School' would be grateful to see as many friendly faces in the crowd as possible; we look forward to seeing you there!

    Nikki Bevan
    Marketing Coordinator

    NOTE: Some of 'Team Shrewsbury School' have written short and entertaining pieces on 'Why I'm running the Shrewsbury Marathon'. You can read them here: Why we're running the Shrewsbury Marathon