Every Christmas Eve, hundreds of runners, volunteers and supporters
gather at the Royal Hospital School for what has become a much-loved
festive tradition.
What began as a simple fundraising event has grown into a much-loved
community tradition, bringing together runners of all ages and
abilities while continuing to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
This is the story of how it all began.
2012 – The Beginning
The inaugural
Stutton & Holbrook at RHS Christmas Eve Fun Race
was launched by Nicholas Bland to raise money for
Mind, the mental health charity determined to make
sure that no one faces a mental health problem alone.
What began as a small community fundraising event quickly established
a Christmas Eve tradition, bringing together runners, volunteers,
families and supporters from across the local community.
Little did anyone know that this first event would become an annual
tradition that continues to thrive today.
2013–2014 – Building the Tradition
The success of the inaugural race ensured that the event returned the
following Christmas Eve, with participation continuing to grow year
after year.
Although only partial historical records survive for these early
years, they represent the foundations on which today's event has
been built.
2015–2016 – Growing Participation
As more runners discovered the event, the Christmas Eve Fun Race
became firmly established as part of the local festive calendar.
While some historical information from these years is incomplete,
every available result has been carefully preserved within this
archive to ensure that an important part of the race's history is
never lost.
2017–2019 – A Modern Era
By now the race had become a well-established community event,
attracting runners from across the region while retaining the
friendly atmosphere that had defined it from the beginning.
Complete race records are available from this period, preserving the
achievements of every finisher.
2018
Rory Marriott became Race Director, beginning a
new chapter in the organisation and development of the event.
2019
The first official event website was launched, giving runners
easy access to race information and results while helping
establish a stronger identity for the event.
2020 – A Year Unlike Any Other
For the first time since the race began, Christmas Eve arrived
without runners gathering at the Royal Hospital School.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant that the 2020 event could not take place.
Although the race paused for one year, its spirit remained strong,
and the event returned the following Christmas Eve.
2021–2025 – Stronger Than Ever
The return of the race demonstrated just how important the event had
become to the local community.
Participation continued to grow, supported by an enthusiastic team
of volunteers and an increasing number of returning runners.
2022
Peregrine Bush joined Rory Marriott as
Co-Event Director, strengthening the organisation
of the event.
In the same year, Suffolk Mind became the event's
official Charity Partner, continuing the race's long-standing
commitment to supporting mental health within the local community.
A Transformational Project
2026 – Project North Star
Acknowledging that his web-building skills belonged to a different
era, and recognising that the website needed to become fully
mobile-friendly, Rory Marriott turned to ChatGPT with a simple
question:
“Can you convert the HTML code in my library into a mobile device
friendly webpage with a hamburger menu?”
Little did he realise where that seemingly innocent question would
lead.
What began as a request to modernise a handful of web pages quickly
evolved into Project North Star—a complete
reimagining of how the
Stutton & Holbrook at RHS Christmas Eve Fun Race is presented, managed and preserved.
Working collaboratively, ideas were challenged, refined and tested
before being implemented. Every significant change was discussed
first, agreed together and only then incorporated into the website.
That approach ensured the project remained focused on what mattered
most: supporting the event and the people who organise and enjoy it.
The result was far more than a modern website. Project North Star
delivered:
A fully responsive, mobile-friendly website.
A complete online archive preserving every available race result
from 2012 onwards.
A central annual race configuration, simplifying year-to-year
updates.
A website designed to support future developments, including
streamlined race administration and results publication.
A digital foundation intended to support the event for many
years to come.
Project North Star enhanced every aspect of the event's digital
presence, preserving its history, simplifying its administration and
creating a platform for future development.
By bringing together the race's past, present and future
within a single enhanced website, Project North Star has helped
ensure that the
Stutton & Holbrook at RHS Christmas Eve Fun Race can continue to evolve while remaining true to the community spirit
on which it was founded in 2012.
Sometimes the smallest questions lead to the biggest journeys.
The Story Continues...
The story continues each year, beginning in October when race
registration opens and culminating in what many now regard as the
start of their festive celebrations—a little running race around the
beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital School every Christmas Eve.
Every runner, volunteer, marshal, sponsor and supporter has played a
part in writing that story.