Shrewsbury School unveils World Athletics Heritage Plaque

Shrewsbury School was delighted to welcome world recorder holder and iconic distance-running legend, Dave Bedford, on site to officially unveil our prestigious World Athletics Heritage Plaque.  

The School is proud to be named as one of seven global recipients of this distinctive historic honour, awarded to The Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt (RSSH) under the ‘Culture’ category as the birthplace of cross-county running almost 200 years ago.  

On a sunny Friday morning, the Huntsmen and women of the RSSH, Governors, Old Salopians and the Shrewsbury School community gathered to hear from Headmaster Leo Winkley, Master in Charge of RSSH Frank Tickner and special guest Dave Bedford as we celebrated this impressive accolade, before the plaque was officially unveiled outside Main School Building. 

As well as an address from Mr Bedford the audience also enjoyed video messages from some famous sporting names linked to distance running, including Lord Coe, Paula Radcliffe MBE, Sir Mo Farah, Steve Cram, Hannah England and Eamonn Martin.  

Please click on the video below to watch these messages.

Following the unveiling, Dave Bedford was given the honour of starting this year’s Tucks, the annual 5km cross-country race at Attingham Park and a staple in the School’s sporting calendar.  

Headmaster Leo Winkley said: “We are delighted and honoured that World Athletics has recognised Shrewsbury School’s unique place in the history of athletics as the birthplace of cross-country running. It was a great pleasure to welcome distance-running legend, Dave Bedford, former Director of the London Marathon, to unveil the World Heritage Plaque. 

“The sport continues to have such a central role in our sporting programme. As the whole school participates in the Tucks, it is wonderful to celebrate this prestigious award and Shrewsbury’s rich running history.” 

World record holder Dave Bedford added: “I’m delighted that Shrewsbury School has received this award. Over the years I've been aware of the school’s position in the sport and what you had started, but never thought I would get the chance to be part of it.   

 “It’s a pleasure to be here and thank you for your great welcome.”   

Teacher I/C RSSH, Frank Tickner said: “To be officially recognised as the birthplace of cross-country is a wonderful achievement, and fitting that we celebrate it just hours before running of the Tucks, the school’s annual inter-house race that dates back to 1831 and just so happens to be the oldest cross-country race in the world.” 

The World Athletics Heritage Plaque, a location-based recognition, is awarded for “an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track and field athletics and of out of stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running, and race walking.”   

Click here to learn more about the history of RSSH.