Shrewsbury sets the pace at the Achilles Relays

A team of over 40 Salopians travelled to Iffley Road, Oxford, the home of the famous 4-minute mile run by Sir Roger Bannister at Oxford University, to compete in the curtain raiser for school athletics. 

The Achilles relays were started in 1963 on the initiative of Rt. Hon. Philip Noel-Baker, P.C., M.P., the president of the Achilles athletics club. 

This was a great opportunity for our pupils to gain race experience and support their personal quests toward improving their personal bests on the track this season. 

A great day was had by all, with our boys coming 2nd in the 4x200m Open Boys and U15 Boys Finals after winning their heats. Some serious speed was demonstrated by Monty W (S, LVI), Ralph C (S, LVI), Daniel O (Rt, UVI), and Ethan P (R, LVI). The U15 Boys team consisted of Finian M (SH, III), Arran N (Ch, III), Rafe W-R (Ch, III), Hayyan M-O (Ch, IV), and Leo T (O, III). 

The highlights included our boys winning The Jack Lovelock Trophy for the open 4x400m with the team consisting of Finlay C (O, UVI), Alex M (I, LVI), Jack K (SH, UVI), and Harry P-M (I, UVI). They won their heat comfortably and put on a faultless performance in the final. Our boys also won the Lord Noel-Baker Trophy for the Open boys in the 4x800m, with the same team showing real style in the final event on the track.  

Our girls made history by being the first team from Shrewsbury to win a relay in the sprint, with our U15 girls winning the Grace Clements Trophy in the 4x200m. Georgia P (MSH, III), Tilly L (MSH III), Phoebe B (QEH, IV) and Agatha R (MSH, III) showed impressive speed to secure gold in their final. 

We look forward to seeing what all our athletes can achieve this season with Shropshire Schools Finals, Shropshire Club Championships, Millfield Grand Prix, Track and Field Cup, Mason Trophy, King Edwards Invitational, and Bromsgrove Meeting. Our athletes will compete for placing and points in team events as well as aim higher for their own personal bests and growth in athletics. 

Liam Hennessy 

Assistant Director of Sport