There was a magnificent turnout for this year's Ledbury with 121 pupil runners completing the course (just 90 in 2007 and 83 in 2006) and a goodly number of OMs, teaching staff, friends and porters besides. A foul weather forecast of gale force winds was belied by a rather more gentle afternoon, with gusts just enough to give competitors a lift as they pounded up the western slopes of the Malverns.We were privileged to have with us this year, and pulling the trigger for the start of the race, Mr. Ian Campbell who was in first position in this race three years running, from 1958 to 1960. A huge round of applause was given by our runners, lining up at the start, as they realized that this man, four times their age yet still looking fit enough to give them a very good run for their money, had done so many times what they dreamed of doing but once.

The boys' race was won comfortably by Sam Baylis (9) who was the winner of last year's tremendous Junior Race. Back in 2007 there was scarcely any daylight on the finish line between him and Rhys Davey (5), giving us one of the most memorable finished to any race we have had in recent years. Sam's time was 51.39, with Florian Sessler (7) in second position in a time of 53.01. Sam is awarded the Tennant Trophy. The other Ledbury Cap winners were, in order: Chris Elsden (1), Max Pohl (5), Jannis Fischer (SH), Jamie Paterson (SH), Youssef Laouiti (7), Eduardo Segarra (9), and Harry Dunne (SH). School House won the team cup.

The girls' race was won by María Theis (3) in a time of 63.11, with the other girl Ledbury Cap winners being: Helen Cruden (6) and Imogen Bexfield (8). Maria is awarded the Sarah Fellows Cup. No8 won the team cup.

May I take this opportunity to thank all those many people, pupils and staff, who worked with me to make the 2008 Ledder a success. And may I also encourage OMs who ran this year to come back again in the future. It is always a great pleasure for me and others to meet you.



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