The Long Run: the 141st Wilson Run (2025)
For well over a century, the Wilson Run has tested the endurance, grit, and unbreakable spirit of every runner bold enough to take on Sedbergh’s rugged fells. Steeped in tradition, this legendary race remains a shining symbol of the School’s unwavering commitment to resilience, camaraderie, and personal growth.
After months of training and five weekly Qualifier runs through snow, mud, and rain, the 2025 Wilson Run race day dawned bright, sunny, and warm. Following years of races where the track has included energy-sapping bogs and mud (lots of mud), the track was in excellent condition—so hopes were high for an exciting, fast race! Three past winners (including the current holder, Fraser Sproul) were on the start line to set the runners off. Fraser was honoured to sound the starting horn.
Fraser Sproul described his record-breaking run in 2022: “I won in 2021 and in 2022—I broke the record that year; that day was so special for me. It was something I targeted ever since I was at prep school. I was lucky to watch Johnny when he broke the record, and it definitely set something off; I wanted to do the same. The whole way round, I knew it was on. I remember when I came across Danny Bridge, somebody said to me I was at the exact same time as Johnny, so I knew then that I needed to put the hammer down.”
While participation levels set new records, despite the dry course, we didn’t see a new record time set this year. However, we were delighted that a record 197 pupils finished this year’s Wilson Run. The 10-mile race starts outside Lupton House and, with the cooperation of local landowners, it crosses farms, fields, becks, and bridges, until the finish down Lupton Field. Three main timed checkpoints occur at Cautley Bridge, Hebblethwaite, and Danny Bridge.
Johnny Campbell offered these sage words to the runners: “If I can give anyone any advice for the Wilson, it would be to run your own race and don’t look sideways. It’s long enough for your game plan to come together, so you don’t need to worry about what other people are doing.”
Neither of the eventual winners, Walter (boys) and Jemima (girls), was leading at any of the checkpoints, making it an exciting, competitive run to the finish. The boys’ race was led by George until after Danny Bridge, when he was unable to finish and yielded the lead to Walter. Walter then kept the lead to finish two minutes ahead of Edouard. The girls’ race was decided by a gutsy, last-minute overtake on Lupton Field, when Jemima passed Maddie. Jemima had her fingers crossed that Maddie wouldn’t call her bluff—she wasn’t sure she had anything left in the tank to fight back! As they crossed the finish line, Jemima led by only four seconds.
“The Wilson for me is a cracking day, and a cracking race. It’s really good for bringing houses together and also for inter-house rivalry. There’s a lot of spirit that goes into helping all your mates qualify. I think it summarizes a lot of the core values of the School,” said Johnny Campbell, winner in 2015 and 2016 (record-breaking run).
This year’s Wilson Run showcased everything that makes Sedbergh such a special place—community spirit, determination, and a healthy dose of competitive fun. From the record number of finishers to the thrilling final sprints, every moment served as a reminder that this historic race is more than just a test of endurance; it’s a celebration of tradition, resilience, and shared camaraderie. We look forward to seeing what next year’s run will bring!
2025 run times can be found on the Wilson Run homepage.
