Runners return for Old Salopian Hunt Day

The Annual OSH Day, including The OSH v RSSH Run took place on Saturday 29^th November 2025.

The return to The School for this annual event is regarded by many as a good day for seeing old friends, whether they run, spectate or just attend The Dinner. This particular Saturday attracted 18 Members of The Old Salopian Hunt to enter The Annual Run with 21 Hunt Runners, along with a big crowd of spectators, that came together on Central on this fine afternoon. The meeting and greeting preceded the call for photographs in front of young Mr. Darwin’s plinth.

The first photo was of 17 of  The OSH Team that were running on this day, showing from the left, Adam Booth (PH.1995-2000), Sam Griffiths (Staff), Ian Haworth (Staff), Dom Weilds (Rb.&SH.’20-25, Senior Whip), Hamish Griffiths (PH.& R.’19-24), Henry Exham (R.’97-02 & Staff), Giles Holliday (I.’19-24), Tim Strebel (I.’19-24), Oli Mott (Rb.’98-03), Cal Winwood (I.’06-11), Ed Mallett (S.’08-13 & OSH Captain), George Mallett (S.’07-12), Rowan Reid (Rt.’20-25), Zac Wasteney (Rb.&SH.’21-24), Archie Price Siddiqui (Rb.&SH.’20-24), Jonny Price (I.’17-22), Ed Charlton-Weedy (O.’99-04).

The next photo taken was of all 10 Huntsmen & Huntswomen present at that time, being Adam Booth, Tim Strebel, Oli Mott, Cal Winwood, Ed Mallett, Jonny Price, George Mallett, ( & Ed Charlton-Weedy – who was not a Huntsman ! ), Peter Birch (Db.’66-71), Alex Mackinnon (Rb.& I.) and Meg Hoshiko (M.).

As has become tradition, we had a picture of all Winners of The Tucks Run that were on The Drum, showing Ian Haworth, Ed Bolland (I.’81-85), Adam Booth, Oli Mott, Ed and George Mallett, Jamie Barnes and Meg Hoshiko. This was followed by a photo of all runners, OSH & RSSH, about to start The Run.  Photography completed, it was time to line-up the Boys and Girls of every era opposite The School Wall, ready for Peter Birch to shout out The Huntsman’s Cry before Frank Tickner (The Master-in-Charge of The RSSH) performed The Clap of the wooden starting device to “Throw-Off The Pack”, and away they sprinted to exit through The Moss Gates to Ashton Road. As usual, the 3.6 Mile (5.9 K.) Course of recent years was followed and supporters were already making their way to Queen’s Terrace to be ready to watch out for the athletes to make their way along the path towards Canonbury. Even though there had been quite a bit of rain previously, conditions were reasonable and The Rad Brook, if a bit murky, had receded to ankle deep and easily negotiable, although it transpired that our OSH Member, Hamish Griffiths, had a fall here and was “blooded” for real and had to “retire”.

After nearly 20 minutes, the assembled crowd at The Finish Funnel, down from “The Alibin”, cheered in Cal Winwood, who killed in 19 minutes 58 seconds, just ahead of brothers George and our Captain, Ed Mallett. Fourth place was also an OSH Member, Ed Charlton-Weedy, who last came to this Run in 2017. This season’s Hunt stars came in next at 5^th & 6^th, Jamie Barnes (O.) who killed in this year’s Tucks, and Jared Gosal (R.), before our Oli Mott, Jonny Price and Zac Wasteney, who was only one second ahead of the Huntswoman, Meg Hoshiko. The Full Results List * is linked below. The Pack were counted in within 34 minutes and it was time for all Runners and Spectators to move on into The Quod for some Tea and Cake, before Presentations. The Peter Middleton Cup for The First Female, was awarded to Meg and The Will Ramsbotham Memorial Trophy went to Cal, as The First Individual. Then it was our Captain, Ed who picked up The David Loake Memorial Trophy for The Winning Team, after The Hunt won it last year. Following this, there was much chatter amongst all, over sandwiches, brownies and more tea & coffee, for which we are grateful to the caterers. Thanks must go to the Master-in-Charge, Frank Tickner, the Ground staff and all the Staff & Marshalls who made The Run possible, as it is not easy to organise this type of event and make the day work so well.

By 3.50pm, nine of The OSH Committee were seated in The Hardy Room of Kingsland House, to carry out The Annual General Meeting. The Chairman, Peter Birch, welcomed The Huntswoman Meg and Huntsman Alex to the proceedings, along with Oli, Jonny, Ian, George and our Captain Ed and Hon Secretary Liv Papaioannou (EDH.’14-16 & H’). This year’s Meeting included The Election of our four Officers and recognition of 43 Co-Opted Members of The Committee. The Committee elected Ian Haworth to be our new Honorary Treasurer, who takes over from David Thomas (Rt.’71-75) after 15 years of very impressive dedication to the position.

At 7.30pm, the arrival of 20 diners was welcomed with a drink before sitting down for The Annual Dinner in The Peterson Room at 8pm, where we were pleased to have the company of Frank Tickner, both Huntswomen (Joint for this season) Meg and Millie Blackledge (MSH.) and Huntsman Alex. In  addition, we were joined by Members of The Hunt, Polly Heintz (G.) and Johnnie Thurston (Ch.).

The Day was another success and great fun, having such a good mixture of friends coming back to see how our memories were made. We all look forward to doing it all again in 2026.

Peter Birch. Chairman of The Old Salopian Hunt. (Dayboys Hall 1966-71 & Huntsman)

Full Results on the OSH page