Published on 1st October 2025

The Alf Shrubb Memorial Races were held in Slinfold on Sunday 14 September. Following a successful relaunch in 2024, entry numbers doubled for this year’s 5k and 10k mixed trail races.

Races started and finished at Slinfold Cricket Club, where a pair of running shoes owned by Alf Shrubb were displayed in the pavilion, having been loaned from Horsham Museum and Art Gallery. Shrubb, was born in Slinfold in 1879 and later lived in Trafalgar Road, Horsham. The son of a labourer, he was working at a building site at Christ’s Hospital School when he first demonstrated his athletic prowess, chasing a fire engine to a blaze in Southwater while wearing work boots. This impressed the captain of local athletics club, Blue Star Harriers, who swiftly recruited Shrubb. By 1901, he was all-England champion at the national cross-country championships. Two years later, he smashed the three-mile record in a time of 14:17:6, a record which stood for 29 years. 

In 1905, he broke seven world records in one night at an event in Glasgow. He later became a successful athletics coach and wrote a manual on running which is thought to have inspired a young Roger Bannister. Shrubb settled permanently in Canada, where he operated a mill, and died in 1964, aged 84.   

MEMORIAL RACES

The inaugural Alf Shrubb Memorial Race took place in 2010 and continued until 2016. However, the event has now been revived by a new team. Rob Jochimsen, who leads the committee, said: ‘The original race was organised by Cliff Comber, a keen Horsham runner who did a huge amount to highlight Alf Shrubb’s achievements and ensure he wasn’t forgotten. When we first mooted the idea of bringing the races back, we decided to make it a more collaborative effort, bringing in the expertise of local running clubs Horsham Blue Star Harriers, Horsham Joggers and Mel’s Milers, while also working closely with the Slinfold community. We were also fortunate to benefit from the experience of Paul Sinton-Hewitt, founder of Parkrun and a Slinfold resident, who also serves on the committee.’ 

‘We wanted to offer a well-organised event for runners of all ages and abilities, while still maintaining a competitive element with chipped timing. Adult race finishers also received a replica of one of Shrubb’s world record medals. We also wanted the event to benefit residents and businesses, while raising money for good causes in the village and surrounding areas. To help create a family-friendly atmosphere, we introduced junior races and a 5K race, encouraging younger people and novices to participate too. If last year was about laying the foundations; this year was about taking the next step forward.’

Whilst set in Slinfold as it’s the birthplace of the legendary runner, the village is also fortunate to be near the Downs Link. So, those competing in the 5K and 10K events follow a course that weaves through the countryside, encompassing footpaths, bridleways and trails. The multi-terrain track makes it a challenging event, as explained by Horsham Joggers’ Rob Sherwood (pictured below) who won the men’s 10K ahead of Neil Boniface of Blue Star.

Rob said: ‘I ran in last year’s event, finishing second. It’s a lovely course, with many twists and turns. Sometimes you’re running on pavement and other times you’re on a woodland trail, full of lumps and bumps. I love the association to Alf Shrubb and found it interesting to read about his career. Some of the times he set were incredible, considering he competed before macronutrients, 

specialist footwear and intensive training. He posted times I couldn’t get close to. So, it’s nice he is still celebrated, especially in the village where he was born.’

LEADING LADY

One of the most impressive runs of the day came courtesy of Elspeth Turner. As well as winning the 51 – 60 age category for women, the Blue Star Harriers runner was first female home and finished in the top 20 overall. Her second consecutive victory in the race comes shortly after she broke the British Over-60s record for the 10K. Elspeth was thrilled to see the race’s return and hopes it can become an established event.  

She said: ‘Last year, the organising committee approached Blue Star with the idea of re-establishing the Alf Shrubb Memorial as a collaborative event. We thought it was a wonderful idea and along with Blue Star’s lead coach Ron Shannon, I volunteered to serve on the committee, although others have been far more instrumental in its success. The event combines the spirit of a village fun run with the organisation of an established event run by athletics clubs. I won the women’s race last year too, but this year’s event attracted more runners and I had to push much harder to win. It’s a lovely course and we’ve been fortunate with the weather, as the rain held off for all of the runners.’

SWIFT JUSTICE

As well as painting migratory birds, Alison looks after them too, as a volunteer for Swift Conservation and House Martin Conservation UK & Ireland. Alison takes in birds that have been found or rescued, often emaciated having fledged too soon. Following strict protocols, she rehydrates the birds and feeds them a diet of insects until they can be released back into the wild. 

Alison said: ‘I approached Swift Conservation and they put me in touch with Kasia Szczypa from Reigate for training. Kasia is currently the main swift carer at Wildlife Aid Foundation in Leatherhead and has many years of experience with migratory birds with contacts in European swift clinics. Swifts spend their whole life on the wing, other than to nest, so if one is found on the ground, it needs help. As the care that migratory birds require is challenging and very time-consuming, most wildlife centres either have a designated carer or forward enquiries to specialist organisations, such as Swift Conservation, who have a network of swift carers across the country. All swifts that come into my care are checked by Karen Robinson, clinical director of Farthings Veterinary Group. 

‘When they are ready, I release the birds into the deer park, which is always a nice moment. Each year is busier than the last with more swifts in need of care. From an artist’s perspective, it’s a good way for me to get close to swifts and understand them, giving me reference points for my paintings.’  

ART FOR ALL

Alison is a regular exhibitor at Global Birdfair, an event held annually at Rutland and described as “Glastonbury for birders”. Alison has sold paintings and received commissions at the event. She also exhibited work for The Brighton & Hove Artists Open Houses this year and in October will be showcasing recent work at the Association of Sussex Artists’ (ASA) annual exhibition at Camelia Botnar Garden Centre, Littleworth.  

This September, Alison will also embark on a week-long residency at the Nature in Art Museum and Gallery, Gloucestershire. As ever, she will be exhibiting paintings of all sizes, to appeal to all budgets. Alison said: ‘I work on a range of canvas sizes, as many people don’t have the money or the wall space for larger paintings. Big paintings are statement pieces for exhibitions, but are time-consuming. Swifts Over Broomlands Farm represents several months’ work over a two-year period, as I tend to work on six or seven paintings at a time due to the drying process between layers. So, I offer smaller and more affordable paintings too, perhaps depicting a single bird or animal.’

‘Although I’m fortunate to receive a good number of enquiries and commissions, it’s still very hard to make a living as an artist. It was probably a silly career choice! But I’m one of the fortunate ones, in that I at least get to paint the animals that I love, be it puffins and penguins or swifts and swallows.’ 

WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright  

Further information: For a gallery of Alison’s work or to find out more about Swift Conservation, visit www.alisoningram.co.uk and www.swift-conservation.org