Symonds Run 2026

The Symonds run took place on the 17^th January and once again there was a large field of runners from across the School – staff, guests, parents and OS. In all there were 419 finishers completing the Morgan run course.  This year a Stonyhurst alumni team also joined the event for the first time, and hopefully they will be able return in future years. They certainly seemed to enjoy the day. Thanks must also go to Richard Wells and his team for organising the event. It is certainly much appreciated by the OS team and all who took part.

The course on the day was very wet underfoot but the weather remained dry.

First place this year went to Ben Harrison of the staff team finishing in a time of 27:40. He was followed home by Hugo Berry in 28:00 for the School VIII. Sam Gunning was first counter for the OS team finishing 6^th in 30:00 with Simon Rowland first counter for the Stonyhurst team in 8^th place(30:48). In the ladies field Lydia Barker-Chapman was first placed and guest runner in 31:22 (10^th), whilst Lucia Connell finished first counter in the girls VIII in 31:46 (12^th).

It was also good to see members of the Symonds family take part in the race once again in memory of Hugh. Joe Symonds was unable to join the OS team due to illness, but Pauline Symonds, Amy Manning (nee Symonds), Steve Manning and Oliver Manning all took part, spanning three generations.

The team results showed a strong performance from the School boys VIII who closed their team at 24^th place. They took 1^st team with 71 points ahead of the staff on 138. The guest’s team were 3^rd with the Stonyhurst alumni team 4^th. The School girls VIII put in a strong performance for 5^th and the OS team came home 6^th, edging one point ahead of Winder House.

The overall results can be viewed HERE.

Many thanks to all who turned out to support the team at the Symonds Run this year. There are more fixtures later in the year for anyone who may wish to join the team:

Alumni race: Wimbledon Common (Sept)

Possible race at Stonyhurst (Nov)

Review by Geoff Watson (E 89-94)