OB Club The Russell
The 143rd Russell Saturday 4th March 2023
This event, named after the famous Blundellian and West Country clergyman John ‘Jack’ Russell was first run back in 1877. Not surprisingly this was in part response to the English National Cross Country Championships starting the year before, and who better, but to name the event after than the famous ‘sporting parson’, a talented pugilist with a passion for rural sports and dog breeding. And the Russell was born and is in its 143rd year at Blundell’s.
The Russell has run every year since its inception in 1877, para a couple of irregular occasions due to various epidemics and weather. It even went ahead during the Second World War, when there was a shortage of shoes in 1945, but had to be split over two days! The Russell has become a rite of passage for Blundellians and is one event that every Old Blundellian can remember vividly – for better or worse!
The 140th Russell Saturday 7th March 2020
Pre-Russell Race Pasta Party 6th March 2020
This year marks the 140th running of The Russell and to commemorate this we would be delighted to invite you to a celebratory Pre-Race ‘Pasta Party’ in Big School the evening before the race, Friday 6th March.
Tickets include a delicious two-course Italian themed dinner at £22.50 for adults and £8 for children 16 and younger. Parents, Old Blundellians and pupils are all welcome!
The 139th Russell Saturday 9th March 2019
Thank you to all our participants for supporting the Veterans Race.
| Name | Type | No | Time |
| Senior Girls | |||
| Rebecca Isdell-Carpenter | Staff | 440 | 00:53:13 |
| Catherine Hall | Staff | 436 | 00:53:31 |
| Annika Hedrich-Wiggans | Staff | 420 | 00:57:37 |
| Charlotte Mercer | Staff | 229 | 01:11:17 |
| Open Russell | |||
| Bruce Wheatley | Staff | 458 | 00:36:09 |
| Will Palmer | Old Blundellian | 447 | 00:36:27 |
| Tom Frappart | Staff | 463 | 00:37:49 |
| John Bishop | Old Blundellian | 428 | 00:38:06 |
| George Gibson | Guest | 435 | 00:38:58 |
| Natalie Coen | Current Parent | 432 | 00:39:16 |
| David Eaton-Jones | Former Parent | 434 | 00:40:21 |
| Adrian Hooper | Old Blundellian | 439 | 00:41:03 |
| Rory Armstrong | Curent Parent | 421 | 00:41:39 |
| Kate Wheatley | Staff | 459 | 00:41:47 |
| Rachel Palmer | OB | 465 | 00:41:55 |
| Simon Lund | Curent Parent | 443 | 00:42:49 |
| Rob Salisbury | Current Parent | 450 | 00:42:55 |
| Peter Palmer | Old Blundellian | 448 | 00:43:08 |
| Katharine Armstrong | OB and Current Parent | 422 | 00:43:15 |
| Jason | Guest | 413 | 00:43:17 |
| Thomas Nash | Parent | 412 | 00:44:28 |
| Jane Youngman | Former Parent | 457 | 00:44:41 |
| Adam Twose | Old Blundellian | 454 | 00:45:03 |
| Edward Palmer | Old Blundellian | 446 | 00:46:59 |
| James Duckworth | Parent | 297 | 00:47:47 |
| Tom Ayerst | Current Parent | 423 | 00:47:51 |
| Dave Holley | Current Parent | 438 | 00:48:18 |
| Harry Bloomfield | Staff | 462 | 00:48:43 |
| Kevin Uren | Guest | 455 | 00:48:50 |
| Jody Whyte | Old Blundellian | 456 | 00:48:51 |
| Mark Norton | Old Blundellian | 445 | 00:49:12 |
| Tom Grant | Staff | 461 | 00:49:24 |
| Georgie Trivett | Staff | 294 | 00:49:26 |
| Julian Barter | Old Blundellian | 425 | 00:49:50 |
| Pierre Bouhanna | Current Parent | 430 | 00:49:55 |
| Jonathan Delafield Cook | Current Parent | 433 | 00:50:24 |
| Guy Templeton | Current Parent | 452 | 00:51:11 |
| Christopher Bartlett | Current Parent | 426 | 00:51:16 |
| Daniel Marsh | OB and Current Parent | 444 | 00:52:10 |
| Helen Harvie | Current Parent | 437 | 00:52:48 |
| Bart Wielenga | Staff | 1 | 00:52:51 |
| Annabel Taylor-Ross | Staff | 299 | 00:53:10 |
| Gaby Borradaile | OB and Current Parent | 429 | 00:53:19 |
| Amelia Joyner | Current Parent | 441 | 00:53:20 |
| Richard Winsley | Parent | 295 | 00:53:45 |
| Dylan Smart | Staff | 451 | 00:54:09 |
| Matt Radley | Staff | 2 | 00:56:18 |
| Alastair Cameron | Parent | 298 | 00:56:28 |
| Michael Tobin | Curent Parent | 453 | 00:56:58 |
| Adrian Simpson | Parent | 464 | 01:00:42 |
| Jasmine Gillman | Staff | 460 | 01:00:43 |
| Tanya White | Staff | 228 | 01:03:07 |
| Louise Beach | Current Parent | 427 | 01:03:07 |
| Juliana Lim | Current Parent | 442 | 01:03:07 |
| Elia Bouhanna | Guest | 431 | 01:05:01 |
The 138th Russell Saturday 10th March 2018
Thank you to all our participants for supporting the Veterans Race.
| Name | Type | No. | Race Time |
| Senior Girls | |||
| Heather Vincent | Staff | 158 | 01:05:53 |
| Nicola Huggett | Staff | 1 | 01:06:58 |
| Sarah Cox | Staff | 157 | 01:15:50 |
| Open Russell | |||
| Rob Backus | Male OB | 13 | 00:36:59 |
| Toby Borradaile | Male CP | 14 | 00:39:04 |
| Will Palmer | Male OB | 446 | 00:39:22 |
| Simon Tang | Male OB | 41 | 00:39:49 |
| Henry Roffe Silvester | Male Staff | 440 | 00:40:09 |
| David Eaton Jones | Male CP | 18 | 00:41:31 |
| James Goode | Male OB | 22 | 00:41:39 |
| Simon Johnstone | Male Staff | 25 | 00:42:01 |
| Nick Markell | Male OB | 29 | 00:44:11 |
| Matthew Parker | Male CP | 442 | 00:44:58 |
| Rob Salisbury | Male CP | 35 | 00:45:13 |
| Kate Wheatley | Female OB | 46 | 00:45:45 |
| Rory Armstrong | Male CP | 11 | 00:46:00 |
| Giles Wood | Male CP | 155 | 00:46:09 |
| Katharine Armstrong | Female OB | 10 | 00:46:21 |
| Audrig Gauryliu | Male CP | 444 | 00:47:38 |
| Alex Muirhead | Male CP | 445 | 00:47:42 |
| Peter Palmer | Male OB | 31 | 00:48:00 |
| Olivia Eaton Jones | F Vet >25 Guest | 19 | 00:49:15 |
| Richard Cragg | Male CP | 17 | 00:50:37 |
| Robert Sanders | Male OB | 37 | 00:51:10 |
| Richard Guinness | Male CP | 23 | 00:51:11 |
| Ed Fitzherbert | Male OB | 20 | 00:51:12 |
| Mark Clayton | Male OB | 16 | 00:53:16 |
| Susannah Price | Female CP | 32 | 00:53:28 |
| Liam Lewis | Male OB | 28 | 00:54:37 |
| Ben Kite | Male CP | 27 | 00:55:14 |
| Richard Sanders | Male OB | 36 | 00:55:21 |
| Amelia Joyner | Female OB | 26 | 00:57:21 |
| Lara Williams | F Vet 25-50 Guest | 49 | 00:57:21 |
| Geoff Vaughan | Male OB | 44 | 00:57:31 |
| Mark Vaughan | Male OB | 45 | 00:57:32 |
| Richard Sykes | Male OB | 40 | 01:00:55 |
| Mark Bowden | Male staff | - | 02:15:25 |
The 137th Russell Saturday 11th March 2017
Thank you to all our participants for supporting the Veterans Race.
| Fastest... | Name | Time |
| OB, Parents and Staff Results | ||
| Old Blundellian | Sam Anderson | 35.31 |
| Member of Staff | Simon Johnson | 40.39 |
| Parent | Kevin Squibb | 36.36 |
| < 25 M | Sam Anderson (OB) | 35.31 |
| < 25 F | - no entries - | - |
| 25 – 40 M | Will Palmer (OB) | 38.03 |
| 25 – 40 F | Ingrid Robinson (Staff) | 43.49 |
| 40 – 50 M | Simon Johnson (staff) | 40.39 |
| 40 – 50 F | Rachel Palmer (OB) | 44.00 |
| > 50 M | Pen Haddow (Parent) | 38.28 |
| > 50 F | Mary Humphries (Current Grandparent) | 56.48 |
| OB Results | ||
| < 25 M | Sam Anderson | 35.31 |
| < 25 F | - no entries - | - |
| 25 – 40 M | Will Palmer | 38.03 |
| 25 – 40 F | Georgia Vaines | 48.15 |
| 40 – 50 M | Peter Palmer | 47.59 |
| 40 – 50 F | Rachel Palmer | 44.00 |
| > 50 M | Steve Dellow | 46.23 |
| > 50 F | - no entries - | - |
136th Russell Run 5th March 2016
Congratulations to the Old Blundellians, parents and guests who took part in the Russell in March, braving the usual muddy conditions. This was the 136th year that the event has been held (although that figure is open to debate).
Rachel Palmer and Russell Adams
The winners for each category were:
Under 40
Russell Adams (guest)
Natalie Murphy (guest)
40-50
Stephen Wray (guest)
Rachel Palmer (GH 1990-92)
Over 50
Phil Spencer (current parent)
Kate Gardner (current parent)
135th Russell Run 7th March 2015
This year’s 135th Russell Run saw over 30 Veteran competitors. We were absolutely delighted with the wonderful turnout and thankful for the beautiful sunshine, which made for a very pleasant day. As last year, the Russell Run was organised by Graham Baily, Biology Master. Each runner was fitted with an official runner’s bib and the winners from the race are below. After the race Runners and their families were treated to a well-deserved afternoon tea in the Beale Centre.
Please see below the OB and Parents results of this year's Russell run. You can see a full results listing and routes information on the school website's Russell page.
| Runner | Category | Race | No. | Time | Place |
| OB's and Parents | |||||
| Amy Cross | W <40 | Senior Girls | 40 | 01:00:29 | |
| Justine Withey | W 40-50 | Open | 11 | 00:47:52 | 1 |
| Kate Gardiner | W 40-50 | Open | 38 | 00:50:01 | 2 |
| Hannah Hawkins | W 40-50 | Open | 45 | 00:51:21 | 3 |
| Clare Jackman | W 40-50 | Open | 9 | 00:53:26 | 4 |
| Becci Lamacraft | W 40-50 | Open | 12 | 01:07:13 | 5 |
| Kevin Squibb CP | M 40-50 | Open | 27 | 00:35:15 | 1 |
| Ed Clarkson CP | M 40-50 | Open | 26 | 00:41:28 | 2 |
| Tony Smith CP | M 40-50 | Open | 17 | 00:42:56 | 3 |
| Kevin Oliver CP | M 40-50 | Open | 24 | 00:43:41 | 4 |
| Rob Salisbury CP | M 40-50 | Open | 23 | 00:43:43 | 5 |
| Mark Norton | M 40-50 | Open | 47 | 00:46:56 | 6 |
| Jason Bateman | M 40-50 | Open | 44 | 00:47:00 | 7 |
| Ed Salter OB | M 40-50 | Open | 15 | 00:47:44 | 8 |
| Matt Jerreat | M 40-50 | Open | 42 | 00:48:38 | 9 |
| Nigel Smith CP | M 40-50 | Open | 22 | 00:49:10 | 10 |
| Chris Rogers OB | M 40-50 | Open | 21 | 00:49:45 | 11 |
| Mark Stewart | M 40-50 | Open | 46 | 00:50:16 | 12 |
| Charlie Wickins CP | M 40-50 | Open | 19 | 00:50:25 | 13 |
| Edward Lane CP | M 40-50 | Open | 13 | 00:51:45 | 14 |
| Andy Pryce CP | M 40-50 | Open | 16 | 00:56:15 | 15 |
| Peter Cameron CP | M 40-50 | Open | 18 | 00:58:56 | 16 |
| Nick Soul | M 40-50 | Open | 43 | 00:59:25 | 17 |
| Philip Withey | M 40-50 | Open | 41 | 01:00:05 | 18 |
| Michael Tobin | M 40-50 | Open | 33 | 01:02:07 | 19 |
| James Bullock OB | M 40-50 | Open | 14 | 01:09:10 | 20 |
| David Eaton Jones CP | M >50 | Open | 30 | 00:42:18 | 1 |
| Steve Alden | M >50 | Open | 39 | 00:42:22 | 2 |
| Phil Spencer | M >50 | Open | 37 | 00:44:26 | 3 |
| Alex Muirhead CP | M >50 | Open | 28 | 00:47:09 | 4 |
| Mark Ansell | M >50 | Open | 34 | 00:52:19 | 5 |
| Richard Swarbrick OB | M >50 | Open | 29 | 00:59:32 | 6 |
| Hedley-Dent | M >50 | Open | 31 | 01:07:22 | 7 |
134th Russell Run 8th March 2014
| Veterans Russell Winners 2014 | |
| Category | Winner |
| Under 40 | Simon Tang (OH 2005-12) |
| 40-50 | Charles Maunder (M 1983-88) |
| Over 50 | Martin Price (Current Parent) |
| Ladies Winner | Katharine Rackham (GH 1990-92) |
This year’s 134th Russell Run saw over 40 Veteran competitors! We were delighted with the great turnout and with the glorious sun beating down on us it was a very pleasant day. This year the Russell Run was organised by Graham Baily, Biology Master. Each runner was fitted with an official runner’s bib and the winners from the race are below. After the race Runners and their families were treated to a well-deserved afternoon tea.
The 133rd Russell 2013
[ See a report of the 2013 Russell Dinner on the News page ]
This year’s 133rd Russell Run saw over 35 Veteran competitors, the biggest turn out to date. With OBs, Current Parents and Supporters all competing for the trophies (Under 40, 40-60, Over 60 & Ladies Cup). After a small rain shower the sun did come out and it began to resemble a Spring Day! Old Blundellian, Christopher Twigge-Molecey (P 1960-65) who won the Russell four times was our official race starter.
The excessive mud and hilly terrain made the run very tough this year but we are pleased to announce the following winners:
Veterans Russell Winners 2013
OBs, Parent (Current & Past) & Supporters
| Group | Winner |
| Under 40 | Robert Backus (OH 86-91) |
| 40-60 | John Glaisher (Current Parent) |
| Over 60 | Ian Maple (M 60-64) |
| Ladies Winner | Georgina Geikie (Supporter) |
Russell Winners 2013
| Group | Winner |
| First in Open Russell (Senior Boys Y11-13) | Ollie Clarke (Francis House) |
| Second to the Russell (Senior Boys Y11-13) | Jack Friend (Old House) |
| First Senior Girl (Y11-13) | Charlotte Routledge (Westlake/NC) |
| Second Senior Girl (Y11-13) | Lucy Reynolds (Westlake/NC) |
| First Junior Boy (Years 9 & 10) | Arthur Friend (Old House) |
| First Junior Girl (Years 9 & 10) | Zara Cameron (Gorton House) |
| School House Boys Winner | Sam Taylor (School House Yr 8) |
| School House Girls Winner | Serena Mundy (School House Yr 7) |
The 132nd Russell 2012
The 132nd Annual Russell Run took place again last Saturday 3rd March 2012. Over 500 pupils from the School competed in the race to win points for their Houses. Gorton House (girls) and Old House (boys) won Overall.
Alumni, Parents and Staff we also welcome to run in the Veterans Race and over 35 runners participated. Old Blundellian, Ruth Hyland (GH 91-93) won the medal in the Under 40 category, Current Parent Martin Price won the 40-55 category & Grandmother Mary Humphreys won the over 55 category. Participants and their families were welcomed back to the Beale Centre for a warm cup of tea and cakes while Governor, James Bullock (P 81-86) presented the winners with their medals.
Many thanks to all those that participated and we look forward to having others join next year!
The 131st Russell 2011
The 131st Annual Russell Race took place on March 12th at Blundell’s School. Below are the Russell routes and timings of the event. Parents, Old Blundellians and guests attended and some took part in the Open Russell or the Fun Run.
| Time | Route details | Distance |
| 3.15 pm | - The Open Russell - Route: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U - Years 11, 12 & 13 - Team scores calculated from the first 12 from each house and a cup for the first runner. - Open to guests. |
10 km (6.2 miles) |
| 4.00 pm | - The Fun Run - Route: A-B-C-D- E-P-Q-R-S-T-U - All students from year 9-13 who are not in any of the above races will take part in the fun run. - Open to guests of all ages. |
3.8 km (2.75 miles) |
Old Blundellians at the 129th Russell 2009
OBs were out in force on Saturday March 7th at the 129th Russell. Some were content to watch, others were supporting children or grandchildren and some actually ran. The start is now on Mayfield outside the Prep School Headmasters' new House and the finish is at the bridge connecting the Pool Anthony playing fields with the Prep School.
All pupils run in a competitive event, but there are six different courses to accommodate different ages and sexes of pupils. The Senior Russell continues to be a demanding race involving more climbing, but less water than the old course. Total distance is 4.85 miles and runners complete the course in 40 minutes or so.
