History

It has always been thought that the Grenochase was founded in 1951 by Walter Platts (Grenoside resident), as this is how far back we have records for; but we know that it didn’t just start then.

Back in 2015 a couple from Gloucestershire visited Grenoside and brought with them a trophy the “Great Grenoside Steeplechase” which was first engraved in 1870. This trophy had been passed down the generations within their family; the Birch family, an old Grenoside family akin to the Platts. They had possession of this trophy as one of their relatives had won the race for three years on the trot in the 1870’s and therefore kept the trophy. This trophy is solid silver and so we no longer allow the winner to keep this, but their name is engraved on the trophy, and they are provided with a trophy they can keep.

The chase as we know it ran from 1950-1992 organised by various members of the Platts family. It then stopped due to work commitments. Matthew Platts then asked Peter Hughes (a former chase winner from 1963) to start the chase again. So, the chase was resurrected and started up again in 2002.

Until 2006 the races commenced and finished outside the pubs in the village (Old Harrow, Angel, Old Red Lion and Working Mens Club) each year taking a turn to host the chase. Safety concerns then forced the committee to move the event to start and finish in the Grenoside Park.

In 2012 for the first time in the event history we accepted entries from club runners (AAA affiliated members). But we kept these runners timed separately from the amateur non club runners. The race has always been handicapped in 30 second blocks until 2013 when the decision was made for all runners to start at the same time, so everyone was given the same opportunity of winning. We also integrated the Non club and club runners so that everyone sets off at the same time.

The kids races were also not introduced again until 2006, and at this time children could enter from age 5 upwards to 13. Previously you could not enter until you were 8. In 2017 we also introduced kids races from age 4 after many popular requests. All runners receive a medal for participating, whilst the first placed receive a trophy to keep.

Unfortunately, the Grenochase was a victim of the pandemic and we have not held the race since 2019, since 2023 we are back and hope for a great event and evening.

We aim as much as possible for the chase to be a “Village event” and hold the presentation on the Village Green opposite the Angel & Old Harrow pubs, where we have live music from bands/DJ’s.

We have found that this puts the event on the map and all the residents enjoy the night too, even if they are not runners.

We are non-profit making and therefore rely on sponsorship to enable the event to take place each year. We have been very lucky over recent years to receive sponsorship from a local Grenoside resident, Darrall Biggins of DJ Skip Hire & Salvage. Without this sponsorship the event could not go ahead, and we express a huge thanks for this ongoing support.

Over recent years we have raised money to support local charities, including Weston Park Teenage Cancer Unit, Sheffield Children’s Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospice.

We hope that the event can continue for many years and it continues to grow in terms of the numbers of runner and spectators. We thank you for your continued support.