A morning of fun at the Great School Run

The Great School Run is now in its fifth year, having grown from an idea into an annual tradition. The family friendly fun run, held at Stonor Park, saw 376 competitors from over 50 different schools and nurseries, racing in the morning sunshine over distances varying from 340m for those with the littlest legs, up to 1850m for the secondary and adult categories.

The event is organised by Education Henley, and faithfully supported by Lord and Lady Camoys, who share their grounds with the group for free. “To me, the morning was the perfect example of a community event: people coming together in the most beautiful setting, doing something active, cheering each other on and simply having a go. I love that while everyone gives it their all, the day is about so much more than the outcome. Just being on the start line, having a go and taking an interest in more than just your own race are such wonderful qualities to encourage and celebrate,” event organiser Birte Hayes explained.

“We were so lucky to have such amazing parent and pupil volunteers helping throughout the morning. Their enthusiasm, kindness and encouragement created such a lovely atmosphere and really captured the spirit of the event.”

Henley’s Mayor, Cllr. Ian Reissmann was also in attendance and marvelled at the number of people engaged in running and/or supporting. “It’s one of the great joys of being the mayor, coming to events like this. Seeing so many people out in the open air, having fun and showing such enthusiasm is really joyful to see – it’s very inspiring.”

Each year the event supports a different charity and this year, the charity chosen was Ben v Duchenne. The charity was set up by Ben’s mother and father when Ben was diagnosed with a life limiting form of the progressive muscle wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy aged 4. They wanted to ensure that Ben was able to get all the medical support he needed, vital and life enriching equipment and was able to take part in life experiences – to ensure that Ben has the best quality of life possible. Now 12, and a pupil at Gillotts School, Ben was on hand to award the medals and certificates to those in podium places in each event.

The event itself is free to enter but donations to the charity are encouraged and the day raised over £700 for Ben vs Duchenne.

As well as individual race winners, there is also a Mayor’s participation trophy for the school with the most participants. This year the trophy was won by Rupert House School who had a massive 43% of entrants. Headteacher Mr Armitage also ran in the adult race. “I’m delighted so many of our pupils decided to take part today, and it’s great to see them here with their families enjoying these wonderful grounds. I like to run too as I think it’s important when you are encouraging pupils to take part, to be prepared to join in as well.  Mr Hoskins, from Badgemore Primary is a friend of mine and he was competing too – I beat him this time, but I know he’s been swimming a lot recently so if it was a swimming race he’d definitely have beaten me!”

The course has a notorious hill, right at the start of the race (or at the start of both laps if you are in the secondary or adult race!). Winner of the Year 2 girls event, Flo Draycott said: “I really enjoyed the race. It was hard at the start with the steep hill but I could run fast back down which was fun.”

See below for a list of winners and runners up in each category:

The Great School Run 2026, top 3 per category

Males

1. Jamie Darling – Kidmore End CE Primary School

2. Neil Hart – Emmer Green Primary School

3. Rob Kingsford – Nettlebed Community School

Females

1. Emma Langston Davis – St Mary’s Preparatory School

2. Birte Hayes – Rupert House School

3. Freya Wilkinson – Trinity CE Primary School

Secondary Boys

1. Charlie Craig – Shiplake College – Y10

2. Lucas Robinson – Shiplake College – Y7

3. George Piercy – Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School – Y11

Secondary Girls

1. Alice Vernon – Wycombe Abbey – Y7

2. Amber Gilbert – Gillotts School – Y8

3. Melia Drummond – Gillotts School – Y7

Nursery Boys

1. Alfie Phillips – Little Squirrels @ Shiplake Primary

2. Leo Paterson – St Mary’s Preschool

3. Alf Hatcher – Little Squirrels @ Shiplake Primary

Nursery Girls

1. Connie Szmigin – Rupert House School

2. Winnie Purdy – Rupert House School

3. Freya Draycott – Shiplake C of E Primary School

Reception Boys

1. Ralph Younie – Valley Road Primary School

2. Henry Goodall – Valley Road Primary School

3. Charlie Howe – Nettlebed Community School

Reception Girls

1. Kaia Michelin – Rupert House School

2. Josie Chambers – Frieth CE Primary School

3. Holly McGow – Trinity CE Primary School

Year 1 Boys

1. Frey Lewsey – Rupert House School

2. Anthony Netvatis – Shiplake CE Primary School

3. Rufus Lait – Rupert House School

Year 1 Girls

1. Seren Williams – Badgemore Primary School

2. Emilia Johnson – Shiplake CE Primary School

3. Nia Phillips – Shiplake CE Primary School

Year 2 Boys

1. Beau Hawkes – Shiplake CE Primary School

2. Leo Poupel – Shiplake CE Primary School

3. Ollie Ewens – Shiplake CE Primary School

Year 2 Girls

1. Flo Draycott – Shiplake CE Primary School

2. Lucinda Everett – Frieth CE Primary School

3. Ruby Ackerley – Trinity CE Primary School

Year 3 Boys

1. Joshua Mattingley – Shiplake CE Primary School

2. Rocco Richards – Shiplake CofE Primary School

3. George Gibbons – Valley Road Primary School

Year 3 Girls

1. Sienna Lakin – Nettlebed Community School

2. Milla Chamberlain – Rupert House School

3. Lily Ashworth – Caversham Primary School

Year 4 Boys

1. Noah Smith – Frieth CE Primary School

2. Tom Parkins – Holy Trinity C of E School

3. Henry Cuthbert – Rupert House School

Year 4 Girls

1. Trixie Dawes – Cookham Dean CE Primary School

2. Olive Gilbey – Rupert House School

3. Olivia Nicholson – Frieth CE Primary School

Year 5 Boys

1. Edward Watts – Cranford School

2. Wilbur Lait – Moulsford Prep School

3. Sid Gilbert – Trinity CE Primary School

Year 5 Girls

1. Florence Smith – Rupert House School

2. Alice Friend – Rupert House School

3. Molly Sturges – Rupert House School

Year 6 Boys

1. Frank O’Brien – Trinity CE Primary School

2. Harry Bryant – Frieth CE Primary Schoo

3. Otto Gilbey – Rupert House School

Year 6 Girls

1. Ellie Smith – Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

2. Teddy Molnar – Rupert House School

3. Charlotte Vernon – Rupert House School