150km Nelson Run kick starts RHS Tercentenary Celebrations

28 Feb 2012

On Sunday 26 February, pupils at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, commenced their celebration of 300 years of history with a tribute to one of its most famous Governors – Lord Nelson.
As well as being a school Governor, Nelson also sponsored pupils to attend the School and pupils were awarded medals bearing his image. Today the upper sixth boarding house is named after Nelson and the School celebrates Trafalgar Day each year with a ceremonial dinner.
20 pupils and 4 staff took part in the ‘RHS 300 Nelson to Nelson Run’ from the place of Nelson’s birth near Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, to Nelson House at the Royal Hospital School. The first runners started at 7.00am and groups of two or three completed legs of 12-15km passing a ‘Nelson’ baton over 150km finishing at 6.00pm. They passed through places such as Great Bircham, Castle Acre, Swaffham, Merton, Bardwell, Elmswell, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Great Blakenham, Sproughton, Stoke Bridge in Ipswich, Wherstead and finished on time at Nelson House, the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.
Event organiser and teacher at the School, Mr Martin Callow, said “I totally underestimated the depth of enthusiasm demonstrated by these girls and boys. Most had already taken part in sporting activities that morning or over the weekend including the East Anglian Cross Country league, inter-school hockey and netball matches and kayaking on the River Stour in preparation for the Devizes to Westminster challenge at Easter. These are incredibly committed young men and women who are prepared to push themselves and enjoy the challenge – it seems to be an RHS trait!”