Athletic Training

CHAPTER VIII CROSS- COUNTRY RUNNING THE development of cross-country running in our preparatory schools, colleges, and clubs has been the most important factor in raising the standard of distance runners in this coun– try. Prior to the Olympic games in 1908 the United States was distinctly inferior to E~gland at all events from the half-mile up. Nearly all of our original ideas on training came from England. Upon this as a foun– dation the United States has made great im– provement and has developed many ideas which England is now copying from us. England's superiority at all the distances was due to the fact that Englishmen were taught to run distances from their youth up. Such games as the paper-chase and hare and hounds were almost a part of the English boy's education. With this as a foundation 69