A Bishop Wordsworth's School teacher ran 12 laps of the town path run to raise money for a new multi-sport, all weather facility.

The school's Director of Sport Richard Demain-Griffiths, known by students as Mr D.G., ran a marathon distance of 12 laps (each lap is 2.2 miles or 3.54km) of the town path run to raise money for the new facility as part of the school’s PITCH IN campaign.

The town path training route is infamous among BWS students young and old, as Richard is aware of from his days as a student at the school.

(Image: BWS)

“It’s fairly infamous, it will either make you or break you to a degree. I wasn’t a runner when I joined the school, when I first ran the Town Path, I would have been near the back. I’ve gone full circle.”

“The running we do, maybe not enjoyed by all, does certainly provide every student with a baseline level of fitness and a level of grit to get it done – something that can then be taken into other walks of life. I often say it is part of our DNA.”

The school is raising funds for a much-needed new Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and Cricket Nets at Britford Lane. The AGP will include a netball court, a 5-a-side football pitch, and space for team sports skills training including hockey, lacrosse and rugby.

Richard hopes this will reduce the need to use the town path for physical education, and remembers the days the sports hall was the size of a badminton court. 

“The sports facilities haven’t been added to in 20 years, and the sports hall is massively over used, we lose it for 50 per cent of the year for exams and other events”

To raise awareness for the campaign Richard invited students, parents, staff, governors and alumni to join him for a lap, or more. More than 160 people participatied throughout the day doing different laps, including a lunchtime walking lap.

Caroline Popham, Head of Development and Alumni Relations at Bishop’s said: “The new AGP will allow all 1200 students to have enjoyment and benefit from exercise on a surface which can be used throughout the year and provide an alternative all weather facility for when our sports hall is in use. 

“Being able to host several different PE activities on one area will have big space saving benefits for the school whilst extending the programme of sports which we can offer. We also aim to increase participation and encourage more boys and girls to play cricket at Bishop’s.  

“Additionally, we will have the opportunity to open up the new facilities to local community groups and hope that Salisbury residents will support our fundraising efforts by sponsoring our team of runners.”

There is still time to support Bishop Wordsworth’s PITCH IN  campaign by sponsoring the team at – https://www.gofundme.com/f/RUNBWS