Fifty Years of Progress 1880-1930

A.A.A. JUBILEE SOUVENIR CROSSCOUNTRY RUNNING BENEFICIAL TO TRACK RACING In giving this brief history of the sport, I do so knowing from personal experience and a life-long association its value not only as a health-builder, but also in developing the powers of athletes for track racing in the summer season. I have been able to gain full knowledge of the improvement made through crosscountry running by champions like F. E. Bacon, C. Bennett, E. C. Carter, G. A. Dunning, W. G. George, H. Harrison, H. A. Heath, J. E. Hickman, J. Kibblewhite, C. H. Mason, W. H. Morton, E. W. Parry, S. J. Robinson, W. Snook, P. H. Stenning, Sid Thomas, T. Thornton, of the old school ; and since, A. Aldridge, C. E. Blewitt, H. Britton, C. T. Clibbon, W. H. Cotterell, H. Eckersley, Wm. Freeman, E. Glover, E. Harper, F. N. Hibbins, G. W. Hutson, F. O'Neill E. Owen, L. Payne, G. Pearce, J. Price, A. J. Robertson, C. H. Ruffell, W. Scott, A. Shrubb, C. J. Straw, A. Underwood, J.E. Webster, A. E. Wood, all great track runners. Many middle distance athletes like J. Binks, Cyril Ellis, C.R. Griffiths, A. G. Hill, D. G. A. Lowe, B. Macdonald, H. B. Stallard, and A. E. Tysoe, all developed stamina and gained judg– ment by slow crosscountry running in the winter months. Training for track work then becomes a matter of training for speed. No wearying process of getting rid of superfluous flesh for the crosscountry runner. At the end of the winter season he is fit, and so much stronger when it comes to a hard race on the track. FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS It was in the year I 877 that the first National Crosscountry Champion– ship was run over the Thames Hare and Hounds' course at Roehampton, thirty-three runners starting. P. H. Stenning and Thames Hare and Hounds scoring a double success-team and individual honours. Spartan Harriers (now defunct) and South London Harriers also competed in this race. In I 878, at Roehampton, thirty-five runners started for the Champion– ship, and Spartan Harriers (who included two Midland athletes, H. M. Oliver and T. T. Prime) defeated the holders, but P. H. Stenning retained the individual honours. H. M. Oliver, the founder of Moseley Harriers, finished third. In 1879, with forty-one starters in the race, Thames Hare and Hounds, with P. H. Stenning, again gained team and individual honours. This was the last team success in the Championship by a London Club for some years. MIDLAND ACTIVITIES Midland and Northern Clubs had been making headway at this time, A Midland Championship was promoted, and in I 878 and I 879 it was won by Moseley Harriers. The competition then became so keen that IIO