Walking with Champions
a hundred years gone
old champions are called
to gather one last time
weary clansmen not for
battle or acts of derring-do,
to proudly stand with
warriors of today,
old war wounds bravely put
aside for one last hoorah
one final revel in the sun,
a bent, battered battalion
take their rightful place
to call out ‘we’ve been there
done that, got the medals
you must all now strive
to do the same’.
(Junior Boys Javelin 1966)
© Graham R Sherwood 7/25
Graham Sherwood
Mon 14th Jul 2025 04:52
AW
PUBLISHED: 13TH JULY, 2025
Updated: 13th July, 2025
TRACK & FIELD
BY JASON HENDERSON
Sixteen championship records fall at possibly the hottest and highest quality meeting in the event’s 100-year history
Much has changed since the first English Schools Championships took place in September 1925. Back then, a wet and windy Crystal Palace saw athletes in the under-14 age group from just 13 counties battling for medals in eight boys events, six girls disciplines and a tug o' war.
Nowadays around 2000 athletes from 46 counties compete in 98 events at the flagship summer track and field event. Cinder tracks and leather shoes have been replaced by synthetic surfaces and super spikes. Global warming and a mid-July date on the fixtures calendar means the weather is always likely to be a bit sunnier too.
Some things are unchanged, though, and with the event celebrating its centenary year, a number of former champions returned to take part in the traditional parade on Saturday lunchtime. It was an emotional moment as the proud winners of yesteryear shrugged off their arthritis and various other ailments to rub shoulders with the class of 2025.