We are a small group of runners based in and around Shapwick, now partnered as a club with Street Striders.
Our aim is to provide a hub for local runners to contact each other and to run together as and when. Our members include beginner runners, experienced runners, lapsed runners and those with the intention of running who haven’t yet put it into action! We meet regularly for a social jog on Sunday mornings.
Our annual race, the Shapwick Bunny Hop, will be on 21st April 2025. Scroll down for details on how to enter!
History
Shapwick Runners began in 2008 when we first set up our local race, the Shapwick Bunny Hop, which is still going strong. In April 2023 we made the exciting decision to partner with Street Striders. Since then, Shapwick Runners is no longer affiliated with England Athletics, but instead operates as part of Street Striders, bringing our running communities together. Both clubs are very friendly and welcome all abilities.
The gentle merger of Shapwick Running Club with Street Striders for the Bunny Hop last Easter Monday proved how much both clubs have to give each other. We are grateful to all those marshals, finishing officials, and organisers from both clubs who planned and executed a successful event. This wonderful village run attracted runners from all the local clubs and those who valued their reward in cider rather than medals! Congratulations to the winner (Neil Golding) and every single participant in this joyful affair! See further details below.
Our Regular Runs
Our regular Shapwick run takes place on Sunday mornings, meeting by the cricket pitch at 9 a.m. We usually do a 4.6 mile loop round the lanes and footpaths at a conversational pace, but exact route, distance and pace varies according to the preferences of the assembled group.
From time to time we arrange additional runs or sessions such as interval training – but these tend to happen by personal arrangement amongst members and are therefore sporadic and spontaneous! We have a WhatsApp group for regular communication.
Membership
There is no longer any fee to join Shapwick Runners - just come along on a Sunday. If you would like more details or to be added to the WhatsApp group, please contact Teresa (07866 751 593).
For those that would like to be part of an affiliated club with regular mid-week runs, annual membership of Street Striders costs £15 (including ARC affiliation) plus an optional extra £17 for England Athletics affiliation. Please see Street Striders' website for more information.
Bunny Hop start line 2024
2025 Shapwick Bunny Hop - entries now open!
Our local race, the Shapwick Bunny Hop, will take place on Easter Monday 21st April. Entries are online in advance only, so don't delay. For details go to Shapwick Bunny Hop – Street Striders and enter via Full On Sport - Bunny Hop 2025 Event Profile. Race is at 10.30 am, with competitors gathering at the Village Hall from 8.30am. There will be no junior race this year, but, if anybody would like to organise in future years, please get in touch.
Last year's (2024) Shapwick Bunny Hop - the debrief!
Thankfully, spring finally arrived for this year’s Bunny Hoppers as they gathered on Easter Monday for the annual Shapwick Bunny Hop, a scenic 7.5 mile trail race starting in Shapwick, hosted by Shapwick Runners and Street Striders.
This year’s race was a sell-out with 150 entrants aged from 17 to 78, from clubs across the region – Street Striders, Weston Athletic Club, Mendip Tri, Cheddar, Clevedon, Burnham, Wells, Crewkerne, Portishead, Quantock Harriers, Portishead, Avon and Honiton – as well as plenty of local non-club runners. There were bunny ears a plenty. Those who fancied a slightly more relaxed morning joined the 4 mile walk, which takes in the first section of the race route. It was wonderful to have a large number of walkers this year.
Despite very wet and slippery conditions underfoot, last year’s race winner Neil Golding from Mendip Triathlon club won the overall race once again in an amazing time of 46 mins 56 secs. First woman home was Susan Duncan from Weston AC in 56:33. First ‘host’ runner home was Haiden Watts from Street Striders in 54:23, and first Shapwick runner was Lee Walker in 58:54.
Runners, walkers and supporters returned to Shapwick Village Hall for a hearty brunch, and each runner took away a memento Bunny Hop 2024 cider, produced by Rich’s Cider Farm. Thanks to the warm sunshine, finishers were able to gather on the Village Green and cheer in the rest of the runners.
The event could not have taken place without the help of our team of volunteers, including the marshals out on the course, the team at HQ (Shapwick Village Hall), St John Ambulance, and the local farmers and other landowners including Natural England and the Hawk & Owl Trust who kindly let us race on the public footpaths through their land.
Proceeds from the 2024 event will be split between Shapwick Village Hall to support its kitchen refurbishment project, and Happy Landings Animal Rescue in Shepton Mallet. In previous years we have supported a wide range of charities including the Glastonbury food bank 'Bridging the Gap', Bridgwater food bank, Save the Children, St Margaret's Hospice, Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and contributed towards the purchase of the Shapwick Defibrillator, and the purchase of Shapwick Village Green.
Please scroll down page for this year's and previous results. We hope to see everyone back this year on Easter Monday (21st April) for the 2025 Bunny Hop!
